Thanks to this case including 6 aromas bottles by the prestigious publishing house Jean Lenoir, you'll be able to train your nose to recognize at the frirst smell the aromas of your wine. A fun first step to become an expert in tasting wine !

Wine Box Colours & Flavours

Wine box Colours and Flavours

French people are used to drink more rosé than white wine and the rosé is now drunk all year round. We clearly understand why when we taste this “rosé de gastronomie”, perfect for a dinner party or with a nice “apéro”. Both fresh and elegant, it will remind you the sweet flavours of summer and you will have the intense impression of crunching in a juicy white peach.

Grape variety

A unique opportunity to taste the typical blend of Bordeaux’s finest reds but in a rosé ! You will find out the same structure as Bordeaux’s wines, and this same taste which combines aromas of red fruits with a vegetable touch that gives to the blend its grandeur. The Gascon terroir adds a touch of freshness, ideal for a perfect rosé experience !

Appearance

A grapefruit dress with thick tears..

Nose

An expressive and pleasant nose to the aromas of fruits and vegetal.

Mouth

Fresh and pleasent mouth.

Service

Service between 8°C et 9° just before serving. until 2018.

Food and wine pairings

Stuffed piquilloGrilled king prawnsStrawberry sorbet with fresh mint

A winemaker, a family

From Jurançon to Cahors, from Gaillac to Bergerac and Marcillac, Lionel Osmin & Cie became a top name of the South West by creating in 2011 the first trading house that covers the entire South-West. Lionel launched this adventure in order to display proudly the superb terroirs of the vast South-West, as well through its typical grape varieties as the great grape varieties from elsewhere./p>

Terroir

Located in the heart of Gascony, the vineyard benefits from the oceanic climate. Thanks to the proximity of the Pyrenees, the significant temperature variations between day and night is able to preserve fruity aromas. In fact, the production of sugars is stimulated during the warm period of the day whereas the natural acidity of the grapes is preserved during the cool period.

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Both fresh and elegant, it will remind you the sweet flavours of summer and you will have the intense impression of crunching in a juicy white peach.

This month, I wanted to take advantage of the fabulous 2015 vintage in Bordeaux : I did that with the famous Château Lieujean, a safe bet of the Médoc vineyards, which is acclaimed by the greatest specialists. What differentiates this Cru Bourgeois is certainly its concentrated expression of black fruits accompanied by a subtle woody flavours. The tannins melt, the wine is supple, juicy and the finish is persistent and deep.

Grape variety

An emblematic blend of Médoc, where Cabernet Sauvignon is predominant, associated with Merlot in smaller quantities. The Cabernet Sauvignon rather enjoys the gravelly soils of the left bank and brings an elegant tannic structure and an intense power in the mouth whereas the merlot favors the clay soils of the right bank giving balances to the wine by its suppleness and roundness.

Appearance

A beautiful ruby dress with thick tears..

Nose

An expressive and pleasant nose to the aromas of black fruits and woody.

Mouth

Fresh and pleasent mouth.

Service

Service between 16°C et 18° just before serving. until 2022.

Food and wine pairings

Beef carpaccio with ParmesanSirloin steakMature cheddar

A winemaker, a family

Château Lieujean was founded in the 19th century. Each year for each vintage, Château features in the Cru Bourgeois’ classification which distinguishes the best Médoc wines. Every year, since 2010, the highly anticipated selection of Crus Bourgeois is unveiled to the general public and honours the best wines of the region./p>

Terroir

Located in Saint-Sauveur near Pauillac, the Château is close to the Garonne and enjoys a temperate microclimate. The Haut-Médoc’s main characteristic is its very special soils made of hard stones that lower the yields of the vines, which gives birth to ripe grapes full of quality and with concentration. It is not far from there that Chateau Lafite, Mouton Rotshchild and Latour are located.

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The tannins melt, the wine is supple, juicy and the finish is persistent and deep.

This wine reminds of a fruit basket filled with fresh and crunchy fruits ! The nose displays various elegant flavours of pear, banana, apple and blackberry. On the palate, we may agree that the smooth start gives charm. This delicious “Graves” manages to combine the subtly flavoured treats of fruits and a gentle texture. The perfect dry white Bordeaux !

Grape variety

The perfect match ! In the mouth, sauvignon brings expressive aromas marked by notes of white fruits and flowers. Semillon is not that aromatic, but it brings the structure and a buttery touch as well as a hint of sugar.

Appearance

A greenish yellow dress with thick tears..

Nose

An expressive and pleasant nose to the aromas of fruit, and vegetal.

Mouth

Lively mouth and rich in alcohol.

Service

Service between 8°C et 9° just before serving. until 2020.

Food and wine pairings

Avocado and shrimpsCold Pollock served with “aioli”Fresh goat cheeseFruit salad

A winemaker, a family

J.Lebègue is an historic winery founded in 1828 by Jules Lebègue at Cantenac, a small village located on the left side of the Gironde, next to Margaux. The company manages to combine the “basics” with innovations. Indeed, the firm has recently distinguished itself by launching the first Bordeaux fully fermented in oak barrels as they do in Burgundy./p>

Terroir

As its name tells, the soil of the “Graves” is made of gravels, pebbles (called graves in French) and stones. These “graves” reflect solar radiations and gradually redistribute the heat on the bunches contributing to a better grape ripeness. For white wines, it explains why Graves have such a smooth texture.

This appellation, stuck between Saint-Emilion and the southwest is a terroir I am fond of because wines there offer the same subtle minerality as in the Libournais’ appellations. I have made astonishing finds there. This château is one of those : very pleasant in the mouth, fruity and perfectly well aged.

Grape variety

Cabernet Franc is not the main grape variety of Bordeaux’s region. Thanksto its ability to ripen prematurely, it is also located in the North as far as the Loire Valley and brings to Bordeaux’s wines, complexity and a spicy touch.

Appearance

A ruby dress with thick tears..

Nose

An expressive and pleasant nose to the aromas of fruit, spice, empyreumatic and vegetal.

Mouth

Fresh mouth and rich in alcohol.

Service

Service between 17°C et 19° one hour before serving. until 2021.

Food and wine pairings

Sweet potato souffléVeal with paprikaBlack cherry pie

A winemaker, a family

Born into a family of twelve children, Francis Pallaro is the 10th and also the more passionate about viticulture among all the siblings. That’s why he decided to take over from his parents, a couple of Italian and Polish immigrants, who purchased the family vineyard in 1948. Francis can also count on his wife who help him, daily, to create superb wines./p>

Terroir

We are here, on an historic land. Indeed, it was near Castillon that took place the famous battle which ended up the terrible Hundred Years’ War with the defeat of the English troops. In addition to being legendary, this region, where valleys and hillsides follow one other, offer a beautiful diversity of terroirs giving both warm and robust wines.

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This appellation, stuck between Saint-Emilion and the southwest is a terroir I am fond of because wines there offer the same subtle minerality as in the Libournais’ appellations.

« Gourmandise d’un été » is a very innovative and delicious version of Malbec! The fruit is ripe, a hint of flower adds refinement ;
the finish is sweet, long and balanced with a little bitterness. The perfect rosé for just enjoying a glass with friends at sunset with a few olives.

Grape variety

Malbec is the grape variety with a thousand names. Malbec in Bordeaux, Auxerrois in Cahors or Côt in the Loire Valley : each region has its
own name. Usually giving dark and tannic wines, it impresses us here by its clear dress and its delicacy on the palate. A really adaptive
grape !

Appearance

A beautiful peach dress with thick tears..

Nose

An expressive and pleasant nose to the aromas of flower, fruit, and mineral.

Created in 1755 in Cahors, Maison Rigal has developed a unique know-how around the Malbec. Cedric, the winemaker, explores all its nuances on all the most beautiful terroirs of the Southwest. Whether it is vinified in red or rosé, Rigal brings out the best of this typically Southern grape variety. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did !/p>

Terroir

The IGP Comté Tolosan, located in the Aquitaine area, is very well surrounded ! Bordered on the south by
the Pyrenees, on the north by the Massif Central and on the west by the Atlantic Ocean, the land is protected on every side. Moreover, sun is strong in this area: grapes are more than happy to get a little freshness from the ocean and the mountains.

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The fruit is ripe, a hint of flower adds refinement ; the finish is sweet, long and balanced with a little bitterness.

Roussillon is getting trendy, and Hommage will help you understand why ! The appellation stopped making heavy wines hard to drink for more than a glass. Hommage is a blend of fresh and ripe black and red fruits and more sophisticated aromas like cocoa. If the aromas got fresher, the intensity remains: your palate will long remember this deep wine !

Grape variety

Mourvèdre is originally a Spanish variety that needs sun, a lot of sun ! The area of Perpignan is known to be one of the area in France with the lowest rainfall climatology. Often associated with Syrah and Grenache, Mourvèdre brings a strong tannic structure and beautiful aromas of black fruits. A classic blend that perfectly works.

Appearance

A beautiful purplish dress with viscous tears..

Nose

An explosive and pleasant nose to fruity, spicy and vegetable aromas.

Mouth

Fresh and silky mouth.

Service

Service between 16°C et 17° 1 hour before serving. until 2020.

Food and wine pairings

Ham and cheese saladLamb stewTomme cheeseBlackcurrant sorbet

A winemaker, a family

Located in the heart of Roussillon, Maison Cazes was created in 1895 by Michel Cazes. In 1927, his son convinced him to buy the Mas Joffre, former
property of the famous Maréchal Joffre, hero
of the First World War. Cazes therefore pays, with this cuvée, a tribute to its former prestigious owner./p>

Terroir

Cazes is known to be the biggest biodynamic vineyard in the world. The team was able to achieve such a goal thanks to the exceptional conditions : the Agly Valley is very windy hence keeping the grapes clean of all bacteria that could generate diseases. If you have the opportunity to go there, the landscape is breath-taking !

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Hommage is a blend of fresh and ripe black and red fruits and more sophisticated aromas like cocoa.

Graves is known as one of the best terroirs for white in Bordeaux. As soon as you dip your lips, you can feel all the minerality expected but also all the freshness brought by Sauvignon's citrus aromas. The texture is a bit silky : this wine is flattering on the palate. It will perfectly pair with shellfish !

Grape variety

Semillon is the king variety of Sauternes and Barsac for the production of sweet wines. It is also found in the production of dry white wines blended with its traditional partner : Sauvignon. While Semillon gives golden and fleshy wines, Sauvignon gives birth to deeply fresh and mineral wines, hence balancing Semillon’s generosity.

Appearance

A beautiful golden dress with fluid tears..

Nose

An expressive and pleasant nose to the aromas of floral, fruity, empyreumatic and spice.

Mouth

Lively and iodized mouth.

Service

Service between 8°C et 10° just before serving. until 2019.

Food and wine pairings

Seafood platterSalmon pieEmmentalApricot pie

A winemaker, a family

The building was built in 1850 and now the 6th generation is in charge. From its past, the castle has preserved a magnificent stone press from the 1900s. If it is no longer used for production, it symbolizes for the winegrowers of the domain the mark of their savoir faire./p>

Terroir

Château Gravas, is located just next to the prestigious village of Barsac, part of an exceptional terroir. Its cracked limestone soil allows a deep penetration of the roots, feeding the vine all the elements necessary for its good development. And a well-fed vineyard is a vine that gives good grapes !

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As soon as you dip your lips, you can feel all the minerality expected but also all the freshness brought by Sauvignon's citrus aromas.

What a straight and gourmet wine ! If the wines from Blayais are well known for their abundant yet softened tannins, this Vieux Puit seduced us also by the complexity of its aromas. Fruity flavours of blackberry, spicy pepper and liquorice, and even chocolate, worn by fine and melted tannins. A great success.

Grape variety

4 grape varieties in this cuvée ‘’Les Racines’’, which is rather rare in Bordeaux! Moreover, the cuvée gives an important place to two "small" grape varieties, since petit verdot and malbec together account for 8% of the blend. A superb Blaye that offers both the enchanting aroma of Merlot and the beautiful structure of the more spicy and tannic varieties.

Appearance

A beautiful garnet dress with viscous tears..

Nose

An expressive and pleasant nose to the aromas of fruity, spice, vegetal and empyreumatic.

The Château du Vieux Puit has belonged to the Bouillac family for about fifty years. In addition to being among the best winemakers in their area, the family also grows vine stocks. This craft, which requires a great deal of know-how, consists in cultivating different varieties of vine plants so as to sell those other wine estates.Real expertise, from root to grape. /p>

Terroir

The appellations such as Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux (formerly called Premières-Côtes-de-Blaye) or Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux (formerly called Côtes de Castillon) reveal a Bordeaux vineyard in perpetual evolution. Although these two appellations are not the flagship appellations of Bordeaux, they are very trendy and often reveal the best value for the money spent !

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Fruity flavours of blackberry, spicy pepper and liquorice, and even chocolate, worn by fine and melted tannins.

When you open a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, you expect to find all the freshness and the minerality that characterize this grape variety. But this wine is the exception that proves the rule. This cuvée seduced me with its thick creaminess that perfectly carries its minerality and its citrus aromas. I discovered a new facet of the South West sauvignon, quite untypical, but a real delight !

Grape variety

Mainly grown in the Loire Valley, in Bordeaux and in the South-West, sauvignon’s success story goes even beyond French borders and is now famous all around the world. However, depending on the region of production, the sauvignon displays quite different flavours : citrus fruits in the south-west, vegetal, mineral and exotic notes in New Zealand, or stony aromas in the Loire Valley !

Appearance

A beautiful greenish gold dress with fluid tears..

Nose

An expressive and pleasant nose to the aromas of exotic and citrus fruits.

Mouth

Fresh mouth with a silky texture.

Service

Service between10°C et 12° 1 hour before serving. until 2020.

Food and wine pairings

Stuffed clamsFish&ChipsFresh goat cheeseLemon cheesecake

A winemaker, a family

François Lurton embodies the fifth generation of this great family of winegrowers that is the Lurton family and which is at the origin of this nice wine. Fumées Blanches - Réserve comes from an association of various Côtes de Gascogne sauvignon plots, combining different aromatic profiles to create wines with complex and delicate aromas./p>

Terroir

Located in the heart of Gascony, the vineyard is under the influence of oceanic climate. Thanks to the closeness of the Pyrenees mountains, the high temperature gap between day and night is ideal to preserve sauvignon blanc’s aromas. Indeed, the sugar production is stimulated during the warm period of the day and the natural acidity of the grapes is preserved during the cool period.

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This cuvée seduced me with its thick creaminess that perfectly carries its minerality and its citrus aromas.

This wine is a true lesson of seduction. Per Dona (« for the woman » in Catalan) displays a purple red robe, releases aromas reminiscent of strawberry and cocoa and its tannins are soft as silk. Château Dona Baissas managed to put all the charms of a wine in the same bottle ; I am a spellbound man !

Grape variety

If Château Dona Baissas is a typical blend of southern wines, this is for a very good reason. Indeed, this assembly forms a very complementary trio. Grenache is expressed by its notes of red fruits, the syrah gives the freshness and a hint of spice and the Carignan carries off the matter with its tannins. A trio that expresses itself perfectly under the sun of Roussillon.

Appearance

A beautiful purplish dress with thick tears..

Nose

An expressive and pleasant nose to the aromas of fruit and empyreumatic.

Château Dona Baissas has been classified as one of the best wines of Languedoc-Roussillon since 1988, but its reputation is older than that. During the French Empire, a bunch of Napoleon’s officers discovered this little vineyard and fell in love with the beauty of the landscape, the quality of the wine and the owner. They therefore baptized the estate Mas de la Dona (« Mas of the woman » in Catalan). If the name evolved, the Dona persisted./p>

Terroir

At 200 meters above sea level, facing the Mediterranean Sea and facing south, the vineyard dominates Roussillon. The parcels are sloping and the soil is rich in brown schists. The schist, a flaky and fractured rock, allows the grapevines to infiltrate up to 7 - 8 meters into the ground to get the rainwater and minerals it needs to be fully developed.

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Per Dona (« for the woman » in Catalan) displays a purple red robe, releases aromas reminiscent of strawberry and cocoa and its tannins are soft as silk.

This Comté Tolosan is incredibly bright ! Plunge your nose in the glass and discover this delicate fragrance of acacia and honey. Can you feel it ? When the wine met my palate, the result matched my expectations : balanced,
ample and concentrated, giving the wine a beautiful aromatic persistence on the finish. There are aromas of brioche and butter, and intermingled with notes of honey, I felt back in my lovely childhood days !

Grape variety

Courbu, not to be confused with petit courbu, is an unknown variety only found in a few Pyrenean vineyards that is mainly grown on the appellations of Jurançon and Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh. With low yield, this grape variety is often assembled with little manseng, which brings finesse and minerality.

Appearance

A beautiful straw yellow dress with viscous tears..

Nose

An expressive and pleasant nose to the aromas of floral and vegetal.

Mouth

Fresh mouth with a silky texture.

Service

Service between10°C et 12° just before serving. to be tasted now.

Food and wine pairings

Onion tartMackerels and pepperTomme cheeseCrème brulée

A winemaker, a family

Domain of Crampilh : a hymn to love. In the 1800s, Sabin Oulie, the mayor of a small village, chose to plant a vineyard and gave his estate the name of his beloved Melanie Crampilh. Since, time went by, and nowadays, the 4th generation is in charge. Bruno Oulié strives to perpetuate the tradition by producing wines with a lot of power and character but balanced by finesse and fruit./p>

Terroir

The vineyard covers 30 hectares of vines, planted on the slopes of Aurions-Idernes on soils made of clay and silica. Te siliceous soils,
made up of crystalline rocks, enable the finesse and give the wines subtle ﬂoral notes (here aromas of acacia). Clay soils oﬀer harder, firmer and more alcoholic wines, giving the character of the fnish on this wine.

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When the wine met my palate, the result matched my expectations : balanced, ample and concentrated, giving the wine a beautiful aromatic persistence on the finish.

In French, “griottes” means Morello cherry. A particularly relevant name as the wine displays very seducing cherry ﬂavours. You can also find aromas of coﬀee and cocoa that will pair perfectly with a chocolate tart. The whole
is carried by a remarkably thin tannic structure. This kind of wine, with powerful aromas and a thin structure, underlines the winemaker’s
great skills. Moreover, this kind of red wine is particularily fit for dessert, which is not that common !

Grape variety

Grenache with syrah is the emblematic blend of the southern Rhône. The reason why it is emblematic is simply because these two grape varieties are good together ! Grenache, which brings very ripe fruit, alcohol and unctuousness in the mouth, might seems a little heavy. But Syrah, a dashing variety full of freshness and spices, tones the Grenache and the whole gives a balanced blend.

Appearance

A beautiful cherry dress with thick tears..

Nose

An expressive and pleasant nose to the aromas of fruity, vegetal and roasted.

Located in Condrieu since 1876, Maison Denuzière is characterized by being the first trading house in the Northern Rhone Valley. If they are more known for the prestigious crus they make in Condrieu or Côte-Rôtie, maison Denuzière also produces more accessible wines that are made with the same care and are thought to oﬀer some ageing potential./p>

Terroir

The northern Rhone Valley’s vineyards are characterized by very narrow steep slopes. The inclination of the slopes allows good drainage of the water thus limiting the water supply to the vine. Vines therefore face a strong water stress that favours grapes’concentration. The wines are then more concentrated, and provide a beautiful tannic mouth feeling. Keep in mind that no good things come without any suﬀering !

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This kind of wine, with powerful aromas and a thin structure, underlines the winemaker’s great skills.

This wine was a very pleasant
surprise ! The appellation Côtes de Duras is pretty well known for its red wines, but this one, Le Secret de Sainte Frivole, shows that it also produces excellent white wines. The nose is characterized by a feeling of a very fresh and delicate wine with citrus aromas. Take a sip and try to detect this little iodized taste that echoes the oceanic climate of Southwestern
wines. To match obviously with seafood !

Grape variety

Contrary to what the name leads us to believe, the sauvignon gris (grey) is rather pale yellow. Characterized by clusters and berries of small size, it gives powerful and full-bodied wines with aromas slightly heavier than sauvignon blanc. The blend thus takes its full meaning. The sauvignon blanc brings a slight acidity and vivacity in the mouth, which balances the wine.

Appearance

A beautiful greenish yellow dress with fluid tears..

Nose

An expressive and pleasant nose to the aromas of white and citrus fruits.

Mouth

A pleasant and soft mouth.

Service

Service between10°C et 12° just before serving. until 2020.

Food and wine pairings

Tuna cakeMoules marinièresSelles-sur-CherLemon pie

A winemaker, a family

Mauro-Guicheney’s family works with respect for traditions and the environment. Corinne and Didier cultivate with passion and knowhow
the 30 hectares of vineyards of the family property, owned for half a century. Both passionate about vine-growing, they unite and take over the family farm in 1990 where they strive to keep the values of their ancestors. Since 2011, they also share this passion with their son who is now fully invested in this adventure. A promising wine story !/p>

Terroir

The Côtes de Duras vineyard covers over 1500 hectares and produces 65% red and 35% white. Its subsoils,
composed of molasses and heavy and sticky clays called Boulbènes, are very favorable to the blossoming of white grape varieties.
Producing red wines is deeply embedded in the South-West’s culture and tradition, because their food pairs better with red and they want to compete with Bordeaux.

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The nose is characterized by a feeling of a very fresh and delicate wine with citrus aromas.

This new vintage of Marquès
del Villar was love at first sip ! This rich wine is
as original as it is warm and flattering on the palate. Cinnamon and forest fruits create a mesmerizing mix and the whole is carried by
a remarkably soft texture. I advise you to taste this wine in your sofa under an air of Carmen to fly to Spain

Grape variety

Tempranillo is the king of the wine-growing region of Rioja, where this grape variety was born. Thus, this represents a total of 70% of the total production of the vineyard. A small anecdote : its name is a derivative of the
Spanish word « temprano », meaning early. This name makes perfect sense as it ripens several weeks earlier than most Spanish red grape varieties !

Appearance

A beautiful purplish red dress with viscous tears..

Nose

Expressive and pleasant nose to the aromas of red fruits and sweet spices.

Mouth

A fresh and silky mouth.

Service

Service between 12°C et 14° Open just before serving. until 2021.

Food and wine pairings

Stuffed peppersDuck breastOssau-iratyBlueberry pie

A winemaker, a family

Les Passeurs de Vins is a wine story, but above all, a friends’ story. Under the name of « Lionel Osmin et Cie », Lionel Osmin and five of his Basque friends discover the most beautiful vineyards in northern Spain, in order to obtain the best grapes and to elaborate original wines with their own values. The more the merrier, another huge amateur just came to support this club of joyful passionates, Imanol Harinordoquy (former national French rugby player), Basque indeed !/p>

Terroir

Rioja certainly is the oldest and most famous appellation in Spain for those red wines which unveil unsuspected
qualities. Planted 400 meters above sea level and protected by three mountain ranges, the 60,000 hectares of vineyards benefit from a
specific geographical location which favors a particular microclimatic development adapted to the grape harvest.

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This rich wine is as original as it is warm and flattering on the palate. Cinnamon and forest fruits create a mesmerizing mix and the whole is carried by
a remarkably soft texture.

Dear subscribers, why don’t you close your eyes for a moment. You’re lying down in fresh grass next to a tree, in front of the Mont Ventoux in southern France, just where Provence begins. Your nose gets fresh aromas of citrus fruits led by a delicate note of lemon. In the
mouth, the silky texture is an enchantment. A nice minerality tickles your tongue, and gives a nice mouthfeel and length on the palate.

Grape variety

Roussane, one of the greatest variety used for southern white wine, is mainly used in the Rhône valley and in Provence. It’s not that usual to find it blended with vermentino, another southern white variety, but they fit perfectly together. Vermentinon gives thisk wines with a creamy texture and fruity aromas, roussane brings vegetal flavours, minerality
and freshness. The whole results in a very balanced and elegant wine.

Appearance

A beautiful greenish gold dress..

Nose

Expressive and pleasant nose to the aromas of fermented and citrus fruits.

Mouth

A fresh and pleasant mouth.

Service

Service between10°C et 12° just before serving. until 2020.

Food and wine pairings

TaramasalataGrilled white fishGoat cheeseLemon pie

A winemaker, a family

What makes Ventoux unique is the fact it is the only appellation in the area to be more famous for its white wines than for its reds. Leonard Rozen, who bought the wine estate in 2011, very understood this specificity and decided to bet on White wines ; hence, he lead his team to replace parcels previously planted with black varieties by white ones. However, Rozen not only planted new vines, but also grew
one of the most famous garden in the region; therefore, your wine was elaborated in perfect weather conditions in a breathtaking scenery !/p>

Terroir

Luberon’s vines have been flourishing in the softness of
Mediterranean climate since the Roman Empire. Planted high, in the heart of Verdon
natural reserve, vines take advantage of long sunny days and fresh nights which give the wine its refinement and natural elegance. The
soil is made from limestone and clay, which gives the wine an acidulous flavour which adds some freshness, quite appreciated in this southern region !

Turn the glass and have a look ; you can now watch thick tears slowly rolling down on the sides. What does it mean ? Probably that
this wine has a thick texture. And indeed, on the palate, you’ll feel it along with strong
flavours of blackberry and liquorice, typical of 2015 vintage in southern Rhône Valley.
It’s doubtlessly a deep and powerful wine that should be paired with a slice of beef !

Grape variety

If Syrah is the only variety used in Northern Rhône Valley, you can also find it in the South but mainly as a complement in a blend. Petite
Bellane, made up of 93% Syrah is therefore pretty exceptional. What is the reason ? ‘’Terroir”. Indeed, as you read above, this terroir
conditions are very close to Northern Rhône’s Valley. With perfect conditions for cultivating great Syrah, it would be a pity not to benefit from them for making a unique and delicious wine !

Appearance

A beautiful Garnet dress with viscous tears..

Nose

An expressive and pleasant spice nose.

Mouth

An intense and semi-sweet mouth.

Service

Service between 14°C et 16° Open 1 hour before serving. until 2022.

Food and wine pairings

Charcuterie boardFlank steakLangres cheeseChocolate muffin

A winemaker, a family

Stéphane Vedeau is the great grandson of an agronomic engineer who owned vines in Northern Rhône Valley. However, he decided not to follow his family footsteps by growing his ones in Southern Rhône Valley, between Valréas and Vinsobres. He bought here a vineyard in
2010, and named it Clos Bellane. However, that’s not because he moved away that he decided to change his ancestral techniques and love for Syrah. Family matters !/p>

Terroir

Clos Bellane’s vines face the East. Sun rises on the East and set on the West. It means that for Clos Bellane’s vines, mornings are longer than afternoons. Therefore, grapes gets concentrated in sugar (that turns into alcohol) thanks to photosynthes is during the morning and ripens in the warm air of afternoon. This is the reason why this
wine is quite concentrated in alcohol but at the same time still fresh and well balanced.

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On the palate,
you’ll feel it along with strong flavours of blackberry and liquorice.

The white version of “ Vignes du Prieuré ” was one of the first one ever to be in a VitiBox a few years ago. That’s why I’m so happy to present you this month its red version in an amazing vintage ! The colour changes, but pleasure is still there. The first nose smells orignal : it’s not that common to find aromas of fresh herbs and strawberry together. However,
it’s enchanting ! Silky, fruity and powerful, it feels
like biting in a ripe fruit just picked up from the tree. It’s intense and refreshing !

Grape variety

The blend of grenache, syrah and carignan is very typical from the southern Rhône Valley. Genache gives fruity aromas and sweetness, syrah brings some spicy flavours and carignan gives structure thanks to its high level in tannins.

Appearance

A beautiful purple and bright dress..

Nose

Expressive and pleasant nose to the aromas of red fruits and garigue.

Mouth

Fresh and pleasant mouth.

Service

Service between 14°C et 16° Open just before serving. until 2019.

Food and wine pairings

Duck liversTripe sausageSaint-NectaireRed berry crumble

A winemaker, a family

Vines were planted in Château Gigognan when Gaule was a province of the Roman Empire. Later, the Archbishops of Avignon made this area their land along with neighbouring Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Then, various aristocratic families owned successively the vineyard, which is always good as they obviously wanted to have good wine at their table. Nowadays, Jacques and Sophie Callet perpetuate the grandeur of Château Gigognan by making wines worthy of being on the best tables./p>

Terroir

Planted on a sunny terroir, Château Gigognan’s vines are also in a place where strong winds blow, notably the
warm and powerful mistral. Thus, berries ripen but keep their freshness thanks to the wind. This kind of terroir gives amazing wines : the high level of sugar and alcohol given by the sun is
balanced by wind’s freshness, and the result is a powerful wine with a great length.

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Silky, fruity and powerful, it feels like biting in a ripe fruit just
picked up from the tree.

Lorgeril is becoming an institution in the Languedoc region. Their 6 vineyards’ reputation
grows year after year. That’s why I am really glad to offer you the opportunity to taste Mas des Montagnes. As its name shows (montagne
means mountain), this wine was elaborated on a high terroir which gives to Languedoc’s wines a lot of freshness and a delicate touch. It also
reveals the deep spicy aromas syrah can develop when submitted to chilly winds.

Grape variety

Thanks to the spicy flavours it gives, syrah is easily recognizable in this wine. However, grenache is really essential in the blend. Indeed, it brings fruity aromas like blackcurrant that balance syrah’s peppery aromas but it also brings creaminess. That’s why Mas des Montagne’s texture is so smooth and so flattering on the palate !

Appearance

A beautiful ruby dress..

Nose

Expressive and pleasant nose to the aromas of spices and red fruits.

Mouth

A tangy mouth.

Service

Service 16°C; Open 10 minutes before serving. until 2019.

Food and wine pairings

Veal SaltimboccaBacon wrapped veal roastSaint-MarcellinBlueberry pie

A winemaker, a family

Mas des Montagnes is the last born of Lorgeril vineyards. Miren and Nicolas de Lorgeril, current owners, fell in love at first sight with the site. Imagine the place : lying before the Pyrenees, facing Mont Canigou, vines are planted in cluster covering the flanks of the numerous small hills giving the plateau its relief./p>

Terroir

Mas des Montagnes is located on a plateau around 300 meters high
on the Pyrenees’ foothills. The plateau is perfectly exposed to sun and wind, an ideal situation to ensure complexity, power and
of course freshness to balance the wine and gives it drinkability. If you want to check by yourself, drink this wine with your friends : you’ll see how fast the bottle gets empty.

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It also reveals the deep spicy aromas syrah can develop when
submitted to chilly winds.

Some of you might already know the name of Pellehaut as it’s the third time that one of their wines is in a VitiBox. Once again, the Béraut brothers demonstrate their great ability to mix quality and creativity. Ampéloméryx is indeed a very uncommon blend of pinot noir, syrah and cabernet sauvignon. The result is a fresh wine with remarkably fine tanins and very nice aromas of raspberry and chlorophyll.

Grape variety

Pinot noir is Burgundy’s exclusive black variety, syrah is the main variety in Rhône Valley and cabernet-sauvignon is Bordeaux’s best known variety. As you understand, drinking those three varieties in a single wine
is a rather rare experience. It’s even more unexpected in a wine from Gascogne ! Indeed, the main black varieties there are tannat, merlot and cabernet-franc…

Appearance

A beautiful ruby dress..

Nose

Expressive and pleasant nose to the aromas of red fruits and vegetables.

Mouth

Fresh and pleasant mouth.

Service

Service between 14°C et 16° Open just before serving. until 2020.

Food and wine pairings

Chicken leavers saladRoasted hamVacherin cheeseStrawberry pie

A winemaker, a family

Martin and Mathieu Béraut do not have any organic or biodynamic certification, but the least we can say is that they do their best to preserve environment ! Indeed, they only work with natural products and as we already pointed, they produce themselves most of what
they need to grow their vines and cereals. In addition to all that, they invested in sophisticated winemaking tools to consume the less electricity and fuel possible./p>

Terroir

Blends are not the only original touch of the Béraut brothers approach. Indeed, they are also advocates of
mixed farming. Therefore, at Pellehaut, you’ll not only find vines but also various cereals (mainly corn and wheat) and cows ! The cows
are fed with the cereals and give manure that is used to organically grow the vines. Everything makes perfect sense !

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The result is a fresh wine with remarkably fine tanins and very nice aromas of raspberry and chlorophyll.

Languedoc is not only about strong wines with high level of tannins and aromas of ripe fruits. Château de Jonquières is quite the opposite with its delicate aromas of flowers, slightly enhanced by white pepper. It’s always
nice to see that some winemakers enjoy giving a different expression of their terroir. This freshness and length is particularly remarkable.

Grape variety

It’s uncommon to see such a balanced blend ! In this case, that also gives a perfectly balanced wine : syrah brings tannins and a bit of pepper, grenache provides alcohol and the hint of ripeness, carignan gives flowery aromas and cinsault brings some extra acidity that underline the wine’s freshness.

Appearance

A beautiful raspberry dress..

Nose

Expressive and pleasant nose to the aromas of rose and white pepper.

Mouth

Fresh and pleasant mouth.

Service

Service between 14°C et 16° Open just before serving. until 2021.

Food and wine pairings

Chicken saladRoasted partridgeLaguiole cheesePlum cake

A winemaker, a family

Château de Jonquières was built in the 12th Century and has been since transmitted from generation to generation. And quality is not something new there, as in 1889 one of their wines received a silver medal in a wine competition which allowed them to start selling their wines in Canada ! Nowadays, Charlotte et Clément de Béarn (32nd generation!!) are in charge of carrying on the Family legacy./p>

Terroir

Chateau de Jonquières is located just under the Causse
du Larzac plateau. The vines enjoy warm southern winds from the Mediterranean as well as fresh masses of air falling down from the
nearing plateau. Therefore, the temperature gets neither too high nor too low. This kind of conditions favours a slow but regular maturation which gives to the grapes a remarkable complexity.

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It’s always nice to see that some winemakers enjoy giving a different expression of their terroir.

Faugères is a very interesting
appellation. Its numerous hills are not only magnificent : it is a source of diversity between parcels. It gives wines pretty different one from another. “Le Rêve” (the dream in French) is a
good example: most people are used to powerful and spicy Faugères, but this one is
more characterized by its aromas of violet and its light hint of white pepper. It also displays
an enjoyable length.

Grape variety

Carignan is a variety mainly known for its ability to produce huge quantities of wine. Therefore, it was widely used after the phylloxera crisis while the south had to produce wine for the whole France. Then, carignan vines were abandoned as the wine was judged of bad quality. But decades later, winemakers discovered that when the vines are more than 60 years old, carignan can in fat give very concentrated wine with great aromas of ripe fruits !

Appearance

A cloudy garnet dress..

Nose

Explosive and pleasant nose to floral and spice aromas.

Mouth

Fresh and silky mouth.

Service

Service between 14°C et 16° Open just before serving. until 2019.

Food and wine pairings

Black tapenadeBlood sausagePélardonLavender Crème
Brulée

A winemaker, a family

Arielle Demets grew up surrounded by winemakers. Indeed, her parents own a winery in Champagne and gave her the passion of vine since childhood. However, a few years after obtaining her oenologist degree, she felt in love with the wild beauty of Faugères’ sceneries. That’s why she started making wine there !/p>

Terroir

Faugères is submitted to a Mediterranean climate and
its soil is made of friable schists especially porous. This special kind of ground retains a huge quantity of water. During the day, the
southern sun heats this mass of water, and during the night, vines keep on ripening, nurtured by this warm water that flows
through their roots.

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Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles. Delivery within 7 days.

“Le Rêve”
(the dream in French) is a good example: most people are used to powerful and spicy
Faugères, but this one is more characterized by its aromas of violet and its light hint of white pepper.

Based in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Ogier is a major winery of the southern Rhône Valley.
Through the years, they developed strong connections with the best winegrowers in
the area. Therefore, they are able to get the best grapes ! You might remember we already presented the white version of Artesis. I am very glad to present you this month Artesis red which displays nice aromas of blackcurrant and garrigue. The softness on the palate is particularly flattering.

Grape variety

Grenache and syrah put together is the most common blend in southern Rhône Valley. So what is the point of adding mourvèdre ? This variety almost never vinified by itself brings more tannin and gives the wine more structure. But the best part is these typical aromas of white pepper that discreetly enriches Artesis with.

Appearance

A limpid garnet dress..

Nose

Expressive and pleasant nose to the aromas of spices, black fruits and vegetables.

Mouth

Fresh and pleasant mouth.

Service

Service between 15°C et 16° Open just before serving. until 2018.

Food and wine pairings

Ham bruschettasSpaghetti bologneseTomme cheeseStrawberry salad

A winemaker, a family

Antoine Ogier started the Ogier saga in 1859 by establishing himself as a wine merchant in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Generation after generation, his successors used the family’s credibility in order to build a great network of winegrowers everywhere in the Rhône Valley. That’s how Ogier could develop its own style of fruity and perfectly balanced fresh wines./p>

Terroir

Grapes used in order to elaborate Artesis 2015 were selected on two main parcels: one is located in the Aigues Valley where the soil is made from sandstone and limestone, and the other on
the rocky plateau of Plan de Dieu and its big pebbles. These soils gave different level of maturity to grapes, and blending those allowed
the winemaking team to reach the perfect balance between ripeness and freshness.

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I am very glad to present you this month Artesis red which displays nice aromas of blackcurrant and garrigue.

Côtes de Gascogne is an
amazing region mainly known for Armagnac. However, the area offers as well numerous great terroirs for white wines. The wine displays an intense and fresh bouquet, which is typical
of Côtes de Gascogne, with aromas of citrus fruits and herbs. The mouthfeel is very fresh, long on the palate and has a nice salty touch. I suggest you serve it along with cod and melon.

Grape variety

The large number of varieties used in the blend contributes to the wine’s complexity. Colombard, a typical variety of Gascogne, gives the fruity aromas. It is almost all the time blended with ugni blanc, which enriches the wine with floral flavours. Eventually, gros manseng, often used to elaborate sweet wines, gives the wine its light sweetness.

Appearance

A limpid greenish yellow dress..

Nose

Expressive and pleasant nose to the aromas of citrus and vegetal.

Mouth

Fresh and pleasant mouth.

Service

Service between 10°C et 12° Open just before serving. until 2019.

Food and wine pairings

WhelksCod en papillotteCrottin de ChavignolMelon

A winemaker, a family

Spanish wine: Marquès del Villar. Domaine San de Ghuilem is ruled by the same group of friends, led by Lionel Osmin and former rugby international player Imanol Harinordoquy. Harinordoquy eventually retired from the field to dedicate his time to winemaking on each sides of the border between France and Spain. I think you’ll agree with us that his career in wine is as promising as his career in rugby was successful./p>

Terroir

150 km far from the
seashore, domaine San de Guilhem benefits simultaneously from the strong continental heat of the south-west of France as well as from fresh winds from the sea. Thanks to that specific configuration, you get very ripe grapes, which explain this intensity, as well as a high level of acidity which gives this remarkable freshness.

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The wine displays an intense and fresh bouquet, which is typical of Côtes de Gascogne, with aromas of citrus fruits and herbs.

With its amazing flavours of thyme and cardamom, this wine reminds me a nice walk in the garrigue facing the sunset, when the mistral
gets fresher and seems to be saying “time to go back home and to uncork a bottle”. I found that the aromas of this wine were remarkably refined and its texture was really smooth but without being fat, which is pretty rare and of
course, nice on the palate !

Grape variety

Along the Rhône River, there are countless vines. But have you noticed that the black grapes could look very different from one vine to another ? You might have noticed that some of them are especially dark with dark blue reflections. These vines are grenache, the prominent grape variety in Southern Rhône Valley. It’s a tasty variety,
known for giving grapes a high level of sugar and fruity aromas.

The Cellier Family has been cultivating their estate for eight generations. Its particularity ? Instead of producing a lot of Côtes du Rhône and a little Châteauneuf-du-Pape, they do the opposite with 13 hectares in Châteauneuf and only half an hectare in Côtes du Rhône. As you can
guess, they take special care of this half hectares that they treat with as much as attention as their Chateauneuf ’s vines./p>

Terroir

In the southern Rhône Valley, the sun heats hard. However, wines elaborated there are full of refinement
and freshness. Why is it so ? Thanks to soils rich in clay ! Indeed, clay has a strong ability to store water. Therefore, the ground remains relatively cold and wet, which cools the vines
when the heat gets too high and rehydrates the grapes when needed.

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The aromas of this wine were remarkably refined and its texture was really smooth but without being fat,
which is pretty rare and of course, nice on the palate !

This roussanne is concentrated pleasure ! The light greenish gold robe let guess that the wine is explosive. And indeed, it is ! Its nose
displays nice aromas of tree fruits (mainly apricot), and on the palate, we feel again
these flavours of apricots along with almonds. It’s fruity and refreshing : a perfect wine for summer lunches ! You can obviously pair if with
white fish, but it will also be amazing served with a fresh tomatoe tart for example.

Grape variety

Roussanne is a white variety only planted in southern regions, mainly in the Rhône Valley. It is notably part of the most famous “Crus” from the region, like white Hermitage or Châteauneuf-du-Pape. If nowadays, roussanne is pretty popular, it was not always the case. In 1960, there was only 68 hectares of roussanne planted around the world.

Appearance

A limpid greenish gold dress..

Nose

Open and pleasant nose to the aromas of dried and tree fruits.

Mouth

Fresh and rich in alcohol.

Service

Service between 10°C et 12° Open just before serving. until 2020.

Food and wine pairings

Ham and Olive cakeTrout with almondsChabichou cheeseVanilla eclair

A winemaker, a family

Do you feel like standing at the top of a hill facing strong southern winds ? Do not search anymore, take a ticket to Avignon and head to Bastide Saint Dominique. Created in 1976, under the impulsion of Gérard et Marie-Claude Bonnet, the estate’s headquarter is located in a former chapel from the 16th Century at the bottom of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s hills. It’s in this unique place that Eric, their son, elaborates all the family’s red and white wines./p>

Terroir

The 60 hectares of La Bastide Saint Dominique are planted on a soil of red clay and round pebbles. These pebbles, typical of the southern Rhône Valley, give roussanne a lot of warmth, which is good as this lazy variety can produce too acid wines if it did not get enough heat. In this case, the grapes just got what they need to give a flattering wine with a right level of freshness.

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Its nose
displays nice aromas of tree fruits (mainly apricot), and on the palate, we feel again
these flavours of apricots along with almonds.

Drinking ten years old wines is not that common and even less with wines from the Loire Valley ! That’s why I am happy to present
you this 2006 malbec that literally impressed me. This wine displays at the same time a nice freshness and abundant but thin tannins. These two facts allowed it to age through all these years. Nowadays, this wine exhales nice aromas or red pepper, humus and mushrooms. The silky texture is also an enchantment. All my congratulations to the winemakers !

Grape variety

Malbec is originally from Cahors, a famous wine producing town in the South West of France. During Renaissance, it was imported in the Loire Valley where it’s better known under the name of “côt”. It’s a slowgrowing variety that demands to be harvested at full maturity. It is also very sensitive to frost. Cultivating it in Touraine, a northern region, is therefore a pretty rough challenge !

Appearance

A beautiful bright purplish red dress..

Nose

On the nose are revealed pretty aromas of green pepper and humus.

Mouth

A mouth with a nice acidity and soft tannins.

Service

Service between 14°C et 16° Open just before serving. until 2019.

Food and wine pairings

SaucissonBlood sausage with applesCamembertBlackberry Clafoutis

A winemaker, a family

Violine du Roy is not a traditional wine estate. It is basically the
association of several talented winemakers who decided to put part of their grapes and skills together to try to make new unconventional small batches. With this Malbec, they wanted to show that by selecting
the right grapes and vinifying it the right way, you can obtain wines that can age up to 20 years !/p>

Terroir

The vines that were used to elaborate this Malbec grow on a specific soil called “perruches”. This kind of soil, relatively rare elsewhere in the world, is
in fact quite common in the Loire Valley. It’s a blend of flint, clay and silica. Flint keeps the warmth and bring minerality, whereas clay
and silica stress the vines so those give the best out of themselves, forcing the grapes to concentrate.

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This wine displays at the same time a nice freshness and
abundant but thin tannins.

love the freshness of Loire Valley’s chenins. With a fresh goat cheese, it is absolutely delightful. And this chenin from Domaine the Prieuré just confirms that these wines can be amazing. Its nose displays nice aromas of flowers and granny. On the palate, the balance
is amazing. The wine is indeed more characterized by its liveliness but it’s perfectly
balanced thanks to its remarkable fruity aromas.

Grape variety

Chenin is a variety that comes from Anjou and has spread all along the Loire River. It has long been harvested too early hence giving acidic wines, which explains why people are still suspicious today. However, thanks to all the improvements brought in the vines during the last decades, chenin can now give amazing white wines, whether those are dry, sparkling or sweet.

Appearance

A beautifull greenish yellow dress with fluid tears..

Nose

Open nose to the aromas of white flowers and green apple.

Mouth

Bright mouth with a touch of acidity.

Service

Service between 9°C et 11° Open just before serving. until 2019.

Food and wine pairings

SushiGrilled tunaFresh goat cheeseLemon pie

A winemaker, a family

Domaine du Prieuré was taken over in 2012 by two oenologists,
Dominique Sirot and Alexis Soulas, who felt in love with the Layon River. They left Corsica, where they used to work in large wine estates
for several years, in order to settle in Anjou with their families. Nowadays, they cultivate their 21 hectares with passion and they show a lot of ambition. Everything seems to be working as everyone already talks about them in the region./p>

Terroir

The vines are located on hillsides along the Layon River. They are planted on a schist soil. This kind of stone that looks a bit like a millefeuille allows the roots
to go very far down the ground, up to eight meters deep ! Therefore, vines can get all the nutrients brought to the soil by the river : an ideal position to give complex and fresh wines.

This Brouilly impressed me with its refinement and power. The uncommon nose
starts the party with nice aromas of fruits and peonies. On the palate, you will feel again this deep intensity along with minerality, this salty
like impression that characterizes the best Brouilly, the most famous of the ten “Cru” of the Beaujolais region.

Grape variety

1395 is the year everything changed for gamay. Indeed, it is the year Philipe Le Hardi, Duke of Burgundy, decided that only pinot noir could be cultivated in Burgundy, and that gamay had to be grown in Beaujolais, at the south border of his duchy. Nowadays, gamay is still the only black variety grown in Beaujolais, but it spread a little and you can also taste nice wines from gamay in the Loire Valley and in Switzerland.

In the Beaujolais region, wine estates usually cover dozens of hectares. Julien Duport, Régis Luttenauer and Denis Vedrinne made a different choice and bought only 3 hectares. But not any hectares ! Indeed, their vines are located on the best terroir of Brouilly and have one particularity : they are more than 100 years old on average ! The three
friends care a lot about their vines which repay them with amazing grapes allowing them to elaborate exclusive batches of great Brouilly./p>

Terroir

Domaine des Cadoles’ three hectares are planted on a granitic soil. The main characteristic of granitic soils
is that it has strong filtering properties and therefore let the water gets deep taking on
the way nutrients away from the roots. So it submits the vines to a high level of water stress. It’s a good thing for gamay as its lazy variety has to be challenged to reveal its full potential.

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The uncommon nose starts the party with nice aromas of fruits and peonies.

Two words to describe this “vin gris” rosé : astonishing and refreshing ! Astonishing
first as it is quite uncommon to be able to taste rosé exclusively made from pineau d’Aunis. This historical variety of the Loire Valley gives
light and fresh wines with a lot of character. It’s a true gastronomy rosé with surprising yet seducing peppery and flowery aromas, but it
still keeps this refreshing side that we crave for in a rosé.

Grape variety

Pineau d’Aunis is the most ancient variety in Loire Valley. Formerly called chenin noir, it was replaced through time by cabernet franc and is
nowadays rather rare. Indeed, this one is mainly used to complete blendsand only a few winemakers use it to make single variety wines. It’s a pity as pineau d’Aunis gives very interesting and refined wines !

Domaine Dinocheau is the typical small family estate where making
wine is not at all a job but a real passion that burns in each member of the family. Indeed, the 13 hectares vineyard is ruled by Fabien and
Laurence who are siblings. The family made a name for themselves by cultivating several abandoned varieties, like pineau d’Aunis and Orbois./p>

Terroir

The 13 hectares of Domaine Dinocheau are planted on an
underground of tuffeau stone, a blend of chalk and sand that looks white. Tuffeau, with which were built the Châteaux of the Loire Valley,
is poor in nutrients : it enhances the expression of aromas low in number but powerful.

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It’s a true
gastronomy rosé with surprising yet seducing peppery and flowery aromas, but it still keeps this refreshing side that we crave for in a rosé.

In this month of April, I am proud to present you Origami by Chateau l’Evêché. This wine is a perfect example of the best you can find on the right bank of Bordeaux ! Its main characteristic
is an amazing smoothness that will enchant your buds. Moreover, this wine is amazingly balanced and blackberries aromas pair
perfectly with vanilla flavours brought by a delicate maturation in oak barrels.

Grape variety

This wine is mainly elaborated with merlot as are most wines from Bordeaux’s right bank. Merlot gives flattering fruity wines but needs a lot of care and attention to gain complexity. Indeed, merlot is a fertile variety which gives high quantity of low quality wines when it’s let entirely free. Like other right bank good winemakers, Chateau l’Evêché masters the art of stressing merlot so it gives powerful and refined wines.

The history of Château l’Evêché starts several centuries ago when the bishop of the area asked peasants to plant vines around the chapel of Lescours. Château l’Evêché was born. It was then awaken in 2008 after a long hibernation when Jean Sébastien Capdevielle and Anthony Ginter got in charge of the 6 hectares located in Nerigean./p>

Terroir

Château l’Evêché, a rising star of Saint-Emilion, also owns 6 hectares just on the other side of the Dordogne River. Merlot and cabernet franc, the only variety used
in Château Cheval Blanc, are cultivated with as much care
as for the Grand Cru. The only difference is that this side of the river is sunnier and wines are therefore a little sweeter. Yummy!

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This wine is amazingly balanced and blackberries aromas pair perfectly with vanilla flavours brought by a delicate maturation in oak barrels.

This Côtes-du-Rhône’s purple flashy colour suggests that the wine will be fresh and lively. On the palate, the wine is indeed lively and comes along with soft melted tannins that enhance the explosive aromas of flowers
and red berries. Just after swallowing, pay attention to the remarkable length of that
wine and take the time to appreciate the nice spicy aftertaste. If you enjoy refined wines, this bottle is for you !

Grape variety

Grenache and syrah are the two main varieties in the Côtes-du-Rhône appellation. However, grenache comes from Aragon, in Spain. It is one of the most cultivated grape varieties in the world and it spreads
thanks to the intense aromas of ripened black and red berries it gives to the wines. Syrah brings to the wine fresh and spicy aromas
hence ensuring the right level of complexity and a perfect balance.

In the Bastide Family, the wine is a matter of passion and tradition. The family has been in charge for 4 generations, and it’s not about to stop. Nowadays, Eric Bastide and his son Robin carry on the tradition of excellence of the family. Robin even started bringing his own touch by starting a project of modernization of the winery./p>

Terroir

Domaine de l’Olivier is
made of 48 hectares of old vines planted on hillsides. The old vines especially enjoy these slopes and their southern exposure. Moreover, the soil is made of clay which gives more complexity
to the wine. However, old vines exposed south could give wines that lack of freshness, which is not the case thanks to the strong
wind that constantly blows on the grapes.

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On the palate, the wine is indeed lively and comes along with soft melted tannins that enhance the
explosive aromas of flowers and red berries.

This wine is a deliciousconcentrate
of fresh fruits and spices enhanced by just the
right amount of woody aromas. The nose is so explosive that once the wine is poured
in the glass, it’s really hard to resist to the desire of taking immediately a sip. This wine
is a perfect example of the best Languedoc can give. This kind of wine is also very interesting
because it’s so consensual that it can be paired with a lot of different dishes.

Grape variety

This delicious red wine from Corbières is a blend between the four most common grape varieties in Languedoc. Mourvedre is a little fragile, so it was abandoned after the phylloxera crisis. However, this variety gives
a lot of complexity and increases the aging potential. Thus, since 1960, mourvedre has been widely re-planted in Provence and Languedoc.

Appearance

A beautiful purplish red dress..

Nose

Open nose to the aromas of strawberries and ginger.

Mouth

A fresh mouth with a silky texture.

Service

Service between 14°C et 16° Open just before serving. until 2019.

Food and wine pairings

TapasBlood sausageBanon cheeseStrawberries

A winemaker, a family

Henry de Monfreid was a famous adventurer who explored the
surroundings of the Red Sea. Hubert Latham was among the first who tried to fly over the English Channel … The least we can say is that Eric and Sylvie Latham’s ancestors did not lack audacity ! Neither do Eric and Sylvie who came back from Ivory Coast where they were selling cocoa and coffee to buy Chateau Saint-Esteve to fulfil their dream of making generous wines./p>

Terroir

Located in the Corbières Mountains, Château Saint-Estève’s vines take advantage of the chalky soil of the
region which gives fresh and acidulous aromas. Those balance the power given by
the sun that shines strongly in this southern area. The vines are on average quite
old which explains the high concentration of this wine.

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The nose is so explosive that once the wine is poured in the glass, it’s really hard to resist to the desire of taking immediately a sip.

I am really glad to present you this wonderful batch by maison Ogier. In the glass,
it displays a nice greenish yellow colour that you’ll be able to admire. Then, smell it and discover its wonderful flavours of granny
smith. On the palate, it is lively and fresh and has a nice silky texture. And the green apple aromas are still there ! A perfect wine to pair
with a sashimi platter.

Grape variety

You might be surprised that so many varieties can be blended in a single wine. This bold blend of almost all the white varieties of southern Rhône Valley gives a lot of complexity. Grenache gives power, clairette freshness, bourboulenc flowery aromas, viognier minerality and marsanne and roussanne provide all their aromatic complexity.

Appearance

A greenish yellow dress and crystal clear..

Nose

Open nose to the aromas of green apple and rose.

Mouth

A fresh mouth with a nice silky texture.

Service

Service between 8°C et 10° Open just before serving. until 2019.

Food and wine pairings

SashimiBaked sea breamVacherin cheeseFruit salad

A winemaker, a family

Ogier the Dane was among Charlemagne’s closest knights. After he had fought for years by his side, he decided to set up on the land granted by the Emperor of Western Europe which was to later become Châteauneuf-du-Pape. 1000 years later, his descendent Antoine Ogier founded a winery driven by his ancestor’s spirit of conquest./p>

Terroir

To elaborate Artesis, Ogier’s winemaking team goes each year around the Southern Rhône valley selecting
grapes from the best terroirs. There are only just a few wineries that are able to gather
grapes from so many different varieties and terroirs. That is why Artesis is one of the most complex white Côtes-du-Rhône you’ll be
able to taste.

Equilibre means balance in French, a perfectly chosen name for this blend of merlot
and cabernet sauvignon. This very elegant wine is perfectly balanced between the warmness and alcohol of the merlot and the tannic structure and acidity of the cabernet sauvignon. The whole is enhanced by nice
aromas of red berries and vanilla. This wine will bring you a lot of pleasure !

Grape variety

Merlot got famous in Bordeaux where it is the king variety of the right bank, notably in Pomerol where it is largely predominant. However, over the last 60 years, merlot has been more and more planted in Languedoc
as the winemakers were shifting from producing a high quantity of bad wine to a small quantity of more qualitative wine. It gives warmth to the wine and soften the potentially harsh tannins of cabernet sauvignon.

Appearance

A beautiful cherry dress..

Nose

Open nose to the aromas of woody and blackcurrant.

Mouth

A fresh mouth with a silky texture.

Service

Service between 14°C et 16° Open just before serving. until 2019.

Food and wine pairings

Duck rillettesCassouletPélardon cheeseStrawberry yoghurt

A winemaker, a family

Domaine de l’Arjolle is renowned in Languedoc for being especially innovative. The brothers Prosper et Louis-Marie Teisserenc fear nothing and were for example the first to try growing zinfandel in
the 1980’s as it was just brought back from Australia. Nowadays, they have been joined by their sons and they continue to grow together the family estate./p>

Terroir

The vines are planted on sandy soils with a lot of different sediments brought throughout the milleniums
by the neighboring sea. Thus, the ground is full
of various nutrients used by the grapes to nourish themselves and grow. That variety of nutrients gives rich and complex wines.

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This very elegant wine is perfectly balanced between
the warmness and alcohol of the merlot and the tannic structure and acidity of the cabernet sauvignon.

Alsace is a pretty unknown wine-producing region. Indeed, on the contrary of other French regions, it doesn’t display an appellation on its labels, but a grape variety. But its varieties are not as famous as chardonnay or merlot for example. Thus, consumers feel a bit lost which is a shame as Alsace is a gold mine for wine lovers ! This magnificent riesling, very typical of Alsace, is a perfect example. It displays a very nice shiny green-gold colour, and at the nose, it reveals mineral aromas, signature of the best rieslings from Alsace.

Grape variety

Only variety of German great wines (that are ranked among the most expensive wines in the world!), riesling is the most common variety in Alsace. It is especially interesting as it is the variety that shows the most obviously the typical characteristics of Alsace’s terroir: fresh yet sweet aromas with a touch of mineral taste and a lot of liveliness.

Appearance

A greenish yellow dress and crystal clear..

Nose

Dicreet nose and pleasing the mineral aromas.

Mouth

A mouth softly acidulous.

Service

Service between 8°C et 10° Open just before serving. until 2019.

Food and wine pairings

OystersZander with butter and lemon sauceSainte-Maure de TouraineCrème brûlée

A winemaker, a family

Domaine Gustave Lorentz was founded in 1936, just before Alsace was annexed by Germany. During this period, Alsace’s wines were usually used as an addition in German blends. Thus, when Alsace became French again in 1918, everything was to be reinvented. That’s what the Lorentz Family did, and they did pretty well as they today rulea 33 hectares estate, the half being in Grand Cru./p>

Terroir

Alsace is a long strip of vines that offer the seven local grape varieties (6 white, 1 black) a large variety of soils and exposures, so as to take the best advantage possible of all varieties. This riesling was grown on sloping hills to get the best exposure possible to the sun and ensure richness and complexity.

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It displays a very nice shiny green-gold colour, and at the nose, it reveals mineral aromas, signature of the best rieslings from Alsace.

This Spanish wine was a real surprise. Rioja is indeed very well known for producing rich and flattering wines. However, it’s pretty rare to reach such a combination of power and complexity. I hope that you will appreciate as I did these intense aromas of cinnamon and red and black berries. A silky and elegant wine, with a great structure, perfect to experience the best Spain has to offer.

Grape variety

Tempranillo is by far the first variety in Rioja where it originally appeared. Thus, it represents 70% of the total production of the area. It is believed that its name comes from the word “temprano” which means early in Spanish, which would make sense as it reaches full ripeness several weeks before the other local grape varieties.

Appearance

Purple dress and crystal clear..

Nose

Open and pleasant nose.

Mouth

Fresh mouth and rich in alcohol

Service

Service between 12°C et 14° Open just before serving. until 2021.

Food and wine pairings

TapasStuffed peppersLangres cheeseBlueberry pie

A winemaker, a family

Les Passeurs de Vins is a typical bromance. Under the name “Lionel Osmin et Cie”, Lionel Osmin and 5 of his friends travel in northern Spain looking for the best vineyards in order to buy the best grapes and elaborate in their winery original wines according to their tastes. The team has recently got a new member: French national rugby player Imanol Harinordoquy, passionate about wine, who wanted to get on board !

Terroir

Rioja did not randomly become the main wine producing region in Spain. Located a hundred kilometres at the south of the Atlantic coast, the vines benefit at the same time from the warm and sunny weather, typical from central Spain, and the freshness of the marine winds from the ocean. It allows elaborating warm and even opulent wines balanced by a nice liveliness.

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A silky and elegant wine, with a great structure, perfect to experience the best Spain has to offer.

This wine from Château les Donats is absolutely delicious and I am really proud to present it to you ! Very typical of the dry white wines from Bergerac, this batch displays nice aromas of citrus fruits and flowers wonderfully enhanced by a strong acidity that gives all this amazing liveliness to the wine. To pair it perfectly, I suggest you serve it with grilled white fish or oysters.

Grape variety

Sauvignon blanc in the most common white variety in the Loire Valley and in Bordeaux. It is known to give to the wines liveliness and refreshing aromas. In Bordeaux and Bergerac, it is often blend with sémillon, a very sweet variety, so as to balance its high level of sugar with acidity.

Appearance

A greenish gold dress and crystal clear..

Nose

Pleasant nose to the aromas of citrus.

Mouth

A fresh mouth with smooth tear.

Service

Service between 10°C et 12° Open just before serving. until 2018.

Food and wine pairings

OystersSmoked salmonTomme cheeseOrange salad

A winemaker, a family

In 1994, Patrick Somers, heir of a family of Belgian wine merchants and passionate about winemaking, decided to produce his own wine. To do so, he visited a few vineyards, and felt in love with Château les Donats that he bought and entirely renovated. To keep on improving the quality of the wines, he was joined in 2011 by the oenologist Olivier Verhelst who implemented new cultivation techniques and updated the winemaking process./p>

Terroir

Château les Donats’ vines cover 15 hectares on the sides a valley digged throughout the millenniums by the Dordogne River in the heart of Périgord. The plots have various exposures to the sun. This diversity allows choosing just the right exposure for each of the six grapes varieties that are grown in the vineyard.

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Very typical of the dry white wines from Bergerac, this batch displays nice aromas of citrus fruits and flowers wonderfully enhanced by a strong acidity that gives all this amazing liveliness to the wine.

In the heart of Maine-et-Loire, you will find a very good appellation that I especially enjoy : Saumur-Champigny. To me, Château de Targé reflects the best you can do on this amazing terroir of the Loire Valley. The wine offers a nice garnet colour with purple reflections, a fruity nose with a strong intensity, and a silky mouthfeel enhanced by soft tannins revealing the characteristics of cabernet franc. A wine that perfectly pairs with a capon stuffed with porcini mushrooms.

Grape variety

Cabernet franc comes straight from the Southern Basque Country in northern Spain and was originally brought back to the south west of France by pilgrims coming back from Santiago de Compostela. It took centuries to find its way to the Loire Valley where it was first planted during the 11th Century. However, cabernet franc was a total hit there as it is today the main black grape variety in the region !

Château de Targé has welcomed a lot of famous people through the centuries ! Originally, it used to be the personal vineyard of Phélypeaux de Pontchartrain, Louis XIV’s secretary. Then, the Targé-Parnay family inherited it, and one of its members, Henri, was close to many politicians under the 3rd Republic, so former Minister of State Léon Gambetta was often invited to the Château. Then, the estate was transmitted to Edgard Pisani, minister of Charles De Gaulle and is still run by his son Edouard nowadays./p>

Terroir

Saumur-Champigny’sbest asset is a soil rich in tuffeau stone, a chalky stone that absorbs most of the rain that falls during winter and gives it back slowly and regularly during summer. Thus, during the heat of summer, the sun ripens the grapes while the soil refreshes it through the roots hence ensuring a perfect balance between sugar, alcohol and acidity.

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The wine offers a nice garnet colour with purple reflections, a fruity nose with a strong intensity, and a silky mouthfeel enhanced by soft tannins revealing the characteristics of cabernet franc.

For Christmas, I chose this delicious cuvee from Domaine François Schwach & Fils. This wine is according to me a good example of the
best Alsace has to offer. Only that region is able to elaborate wines that blend so well elegance and sweetness. This wine is amazing to see, to
smell and to taste and will perfectly pair with foie gras.

Grape variety

Gewürztraminer is one of the most common varieties in Alsace and can be recognized even in the vines thanks to the light pink colour of its
small berries. Its smell is very typical as well: it exhales delicious odours of exotic fruits and on the palate it is recognizable thanks to its creamy
texture balanced by a lot of freshness. Good to know: this variety is often harvested late in order to make amazing sweet wines.

Appearance

A greenish gold dress and crystal clear..

Nose

Open nose to the aromas of floral and exotic fruits.

Mouth

Fresh mouth with smooth tear.

Service

Service between 8°C et 10° Open just before serving. until 2018.

Food and wine pairings

Pan seared foie grasGrilled salmonMunster cheeseKugelhopf

A winemaker, a family

Domaine Schwach has grown slowly but surely. In 1950, François
Schwach, a wine merchant passionate about viticulture, bought his first plots of vines and spent 10 years working on them before selling
the first bottles. In 1975, Philippe took over and extended the vineyard by buying more plots, acre after acre. Still today, Sébastien, Philippe’s
son, deeply thinks about each decision and never drifts away from the culture of excellence that prevails in the family.

Terroir

Hidden behind the Vosges Mountains, Alsace is protected
from the influences of the ocean. It therefore enjoys a continental climate with very
cold winters and very warm summers. A consequence of this is that grapes keep a
lot of freshness until late and then ripen very fast during summer. That’s why even dry wines from Alsace seem a little sweet on the palate.

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This wine is amazing to see, to smell and to taste and will
perfectly pair with foie gras.

You do not even need to pour the first glass to experience this wine. Immediatly after opening the bottle, you can already smell the powerful ripened fruits aromas exhaling in the room. On the palate, it’s an ecstasy. You will certainly notice this incredibly soft texture that glides over the tongue. These concentrated and powerful
wines are the new signature of the Languedoc region. This is the perfect wine for a Christmas turkey served with cranberry sauce.

Grape variety

Cinsault, the variety in minority in this blend, comes from Provence and thrives in warm and dry areas. It’s why it was widely planted in Algeria during the French period. Its main perk is that it develops very smooth fruity aromas even before reaching ripeness. It makes it a perfect addition to a blend so as to add complexity to
the wine. It is also great used by itself to elaborate rosé wines.

Appearance

A garnet dress with a smooth tear..

Nose

Open nose to the aromas of red and black berries.

Mouth

Fresh and silky mouth.

Service

Service between 14°C et 16° Open just before serving. until 2020.

Food and wine pairings

Pieds paquetsBeef stewCabécou cheesePannacotta

A winemaker, a family

Olivier Villaneuva is part of thisfirst generation of winemakers who
travelled the world to work in various wine estates around the planet before returning home to take care of the family vineyard. Villaneuva
joined his parents at Mas Onésime in 1999 with the goal of bottling himself the wine before bought by the local cooperative. He succeeded
in 2011 with a good vintage that quickly won over the critics.

Terroir

In the hills behind the Mediterranean Sea coast, Mas Onésime’s vines are planted on schist based soils. This specific
kind of soils allows vines’ roots to go particularly deep in the ground in order to find their water and nutrients. It’s a real perk in such a dry region as
Languedoc!

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Immediatly
after opening the bottle, you can already smell the powerful ripened fruits aromas exhaling in the room.

I chose for you this nice Beaujolais Village by Château de l’Eclair, a winery I especially appreciate as I used to teach there wine tasting to tourists from all over the world ! This wine is a good example of the best Beaujolais can give when it comes to produce simple yet quality wines. I suggest you enjoy this wine before dinner paired with a nice charcuterie board. Will you be able to feel the carbonic maceration ?

Grape variety

This variety is often called “gamay noir à jus blanc” which means “black gamay with white juice”. The reason is that this variety is special: it has a very dark skin and a very white flesh. 98% of Beaujolais’ vines are gamay. Therefore, Beaujolais alone produces the two third of gamay grown worldwide. Gamay gives to the wine fresh fruity aromas with sometimes a hint of spice.

Appearance

Attractive ruby dress and crystal clear..

Nose

Open nose and pleasing the aromas of red berries..

Mouth

Fresh and light mouth in the fine tannins.

Service

Service between 13°C and 14°C. Open just before serving. Open just before serving. until 2020.

“L’éclair” refers to a device that allows winemakers to easily spray natural fertilisers on the vines. It was invented by Victor Vermorel, a French eccentric politician and inventor. Vermorel bought Château Convert in 1871 from a rich family from Lyon and gave it the name of his invention.

Terroir

Beaujolais is divided between two kinds of soils: granite in the north and schist in the south. The best wines are elaborated on granitic soils, like the ones on which Château de l’Eclair’s vines are planted. Granite is known to give refinement and freshness to the wines as it stores water deeply and slowly waters the roots one drop after another while providing soft warmth to the grapes.

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This wine is a good example of the best Beaujolais can give when it comes to produce simple yet quality wines.

This month, I give you the opportunity to taste a truly fantastic “Cru” from the Beaujolais. From the blueish reflections on the ruby colour, you can guess the strong aromatic intensity of the wine. I smell soft aromas of red and black berries, typical of Morgon. It is preferable to serve this wine at 15° and I suggest you pair it with a nice coq au vin.

Grape variety

During the Middle Ages, gamay was the main variety grown in Burgundy. But in 1395, Philippe le Hardi, Duke of Burgundy, declared that gamay was “vile and deceitful” and therefore ordered its uprooting. During the following centuries, gamay was replaced by pinot noir in Burgundy but remained cultivated in Beaujolais ever since.

Created in 1953 by René Gautier, Jacky’s father, Domaine de Colette was at the time only a few acres of vines abandoned since World War 1. René worked hard to revive the vines and bought several neighbouring plots and the estate eventually reached the size of 8 hectares. When he was only 17 years old, Jacky inherited his father’s estates + his uncle’s. He merged both in 1994 to make a big estate of 14 hectares.

Terroir

One of the specificities of Beaujolais is the use of carbonic maceration at the beginning of the winemaking process. Carbonic maceration consists in putting non-crushed grape clusters in sealed vessels. By making the fermentation process slower and avoiding oxidation, this technique widely used in Morgon gives the wine its particularly fruity aromas.

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From the blueish reflections on the ruby colour, you can guess the strong aromatic intensity of the wine.

I felt in love at first sight with that white Côtes-du-Rhône, even before I smelt it! Look at this beautiful shiny green gold colour! It then shows nice aromas: I got exotic fruits, jasmine and spices. A fresh and lively wine that will pair well with poached peaches. A pleasure for the eyes, the nose and the palate!

Grape variety

This wine is a typical blend of the Rhône Valley. Viognier gives to the wine mineral aromas and subtlety, and grenache blanc brings fruity aromas and sugar, which explains the magnificent silky texture of Pierre Solaire.

Appearance

A beautiful greenish gold dress..

Nose

Open to the aromas of flowers and spices.

Mouth

Fresh and mineral mouth.

Service

between 10°C and 12°C. open just before serving. until 2018

Food and wine pairings

Pike quenelleLake fishPelardon cheesePoached peaches

A winemaker, a family

François Dauvergne and Jean-François Ranvier are two old friends, passionate about oenology, who used to occupy important positions in the world of wine. But one day, they decided it was time for them to grow their own vines. That’s how their adventure began, and they now share all their knowledge about winemaking in order to elaborate a whole range of sophisticated wines.

Terroir

Pierre Solaire’s vines are located on the border between Ardèche and Gard, two French departments well known for their great yet simple wines. They are planted up hills, ensuring a good level of acidity that enhances the refreshing aromas of this wine.

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I felt in love at first sight with that white Côtes-du-Rhône, even before I smelt it!

Cadillac is a small unknown appellation of Bordeaux, which is a shame as there are magnificent wines elaborated there! Château Le Thys is a good example. Even if it was acquired a few years ago by its neighbour Château Birot, grapes are still vinified separately so as to reveal the whole potential of this specific terroir along the Garonne River.

Grape variety

If you like merlot, this wine is for you. Château Le Thys is the perfect example of what can give well grown merlot. Indeed, it displays seductive aromas and a silky texture with thin and refined tannins. This explains why merlot can be found all over the world! Chile, Australia, Hungary... it is everywhere!

Appearance

Garnet color in the smooth tears..

Nose

Open nose, in the aromas of spices.

Mouth

Fresh and silky mouth.

Service

Service 16°C Open just before serving. until 2020.

Food and wine pairings

Hare terrinePeppercorn steakCamembert cheeseChocolate pie

A winemaker, a family

If on a trip in the Bordeaux region you feel like tasting Château Le Thys’ wines, you’ll be welcomed in Chateau Birot, an astonishing 18th century castle. It was entirely renovated in 1989 by Eric and Helene Fournier-Casteja. Nowadays, two out of their five sons rule the Family Estate.

Terroir

Château le Thys’ vines cover around 40 hectares and their specificity is that they are surrounded by tree hedges. It’s a great perk as it protects the grapes from strong winds in their youth (when they are too fragile to stand it) and the soil from erosion.

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Cadillac is a small unknown appellation of Bordeaux, which is a shame as there are magnificent wines elaborated there!

This month, My VitiBox gives you the opportunity to taste two very good yet quite different wines from the Côtes-du-Rhône appellation. This powerful wine is a perfect balance between the fruity aromas of grenache
and the slightly spicy aromas of syrah. This wine will be absolutely perfect to pair with a
beautiful charcuterie board!

Grape variety

Syrah is a sensitive grape variety that easily catches diseases. Fortunately, the vines of the Domaine de Panisse enjoy a good exposure to the wind that keeps germs away. Syrah adds spicy flavours to this wine.

Appearance

Purple and mat colour in the thick tears..

Nose

Open nose to the aromas of spices and vegetable.

Mouth

Fresh and pleasant mouth with firm and present tannins.

Service

between 14°C and 16°C. Open one hour before serving. until 2020.

Food and wine pairings

Andouille SausageVeal liverSaint-MarcellinClafoutis

A winemaker, a family

The Domaine de Panisse already existed in the 15th Century. At
that time, it used to belong to Dominique de Panisse, Louis XII’s chamberlain. But through centuries, the domain has been abandoned,
and remained uncultivated during the first half of the 20th Century. Fortunately, Jean-Marie, Christine and Fanny got it back and did a
great job in resuscitating the estate.

Terroir

The southern Rhône
Valley is renowned for its famous “galets roulés” that cover the ground. These smooth pebbles have been polished for millenniums
by the Rhône River. Their specificity is that they
accumulate the heat of the sun all day long and give it back to the grapes during the night. Therefore, the grapes keep ripening even
after the sunset!

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This powerful wine is a perfect balance between the fruity aromas of grenache and the slightly spicy aromas of syrah.

In French, “bonheur” means happiness, and this wine will make you feel particularly happy. Indeed, it displays an amazing balance
between acidity and sweetness. The nose is deep and enchanting, and on the palate, I felt really nice aromas of cherry and cinnamon.
It will pair really well with a nice brioche sausage roll.

Grape variety

Very common in the Rhône Valley, grenache is mainly known for giving mature red berries aromas that blend amazingly well with the spicy flavours of syrah. This wine is also a chance to taste a little bit of carignan, a grape variety which is quite uncommon in the Rhône Valley and that gives to the wine this great silky texture!

Sandrine and Pierre are passionate winemakers who have a
specific interest in the history of winemaking. That’s why they gathered many ancient tools related to viticulture and winemaking and created a small museum with these historical pieces.

Terroir

The vines of the Domaine de La Destinée benefit from a great perk: they are planted on a mix of clay and limestone. What does it mean? It means that the ground accumulates a lot of water and is therefore able to water the vines constantly.
This specificity gives a lot of freshness to the vines, which is significant in such a sunny
area!

My VitiBox, September. 2015/ bouteille

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I felt really nice aromas of cherry and cinnamon. It will pair really well with a nice brioche sausage roll.

Summer is definitely the best time of the year to present you a nice rosé. This one
will bring you straight to the south of France ! Maybe you are sometime not very careful
when tasting a rosé. Yet, rosé can be as interesting as white or red wines. In this one, you will find aromas of peony and strawberry and flavours of red currant ;-)

Grape variety

Grenache is one of the main varieties around the Mediterranean Sea. It gives dry red and rosé wines. It is notably known to be the mostly grown variety in Spain. Therefore, it is no surprise to find it in Languedoc-Roussillon, so close to Spain. It gives dry rosés with complex aromas of fruits and flowers. Be careful: do not confuse grenache with white grenache, which is another variety!

Appearance

Pale and crystal clear pink colour in tears smooth..

Nose

Moderated nose in the floral and fruity aromas.

Mouth

Well-balanced and alkaline mouth.

Service

Between 9°C et 11°C. Open just before serving. until 2022.

Food and wine pairings

TapenadeSauteed vegtablesCorsica cheeseClementines

A winemaker, a family

The Skallis were originally a family of winemakers in Algeria in the 1920’s. In 1974, kicked out from Algeria, Robert Skalli settled in Sète and turned winemaking facilities built to age wines from Algeria in a winery for Languedoc wines. A few years later, Fortant was born.

Terroir

Fortant’s rosé is elaborated with grapes harvested around the peninsula of Sète on the Mediterranean coast.
The sunny weather in the area is perfectly adapted to the vine’s needs. The winds
coming from the sea keep the vines fresh and healthy. The grapes from this area tend to give fresh and aromatic wines.

My VitiBox, July. 2015/ bouteille

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles. Delivery within 7 days.

Summer is definitely the best time of the year to present
you a nice rosé.

This wine is perfect for a charcuterie board shared with friends on a summer night. This nice wine from Gaillac, made according to the principles of sustainable agriculture, displays complex aromas of cinnamon, gingerbread and
red berries. On the palate, its creamy texture and its soft tannins show that it is a refined
yet powerful wine.

Grape variety

This wine is the opportunity to present you a pretty unknown variety: braucol ! Also called fer servadou, it basically is from the south-west
of France where it is found in many of the most famous appellations of this region: Madiran, Gaillac, Béarn… Braucol is very appreciated by
connoisseurs as it gives very elegant wines. Indeed, despite the presence of marked tannins (which by the way give a great aging potential!), the wine remains very fresh on the palate.

&Appearance

Garnet colour in the thick tears. .

Nose

Open to the aromas of red berries and spices.

Mouth

Balanced mouth with melted and present tannins.

Service

Between 14°C and 16°C. Open just before serving. until 2022.

Food and wine pairings

SaucissonBayonne hamSaint-Albray cheesePoached prunes
with rum

A winemaker, a family

Domaine de la Chanade puts forward the use of natural products during the agricultural process: no chemical pesticides here! The grapes are the
result of a close collaboration between the team and Mother Nature. At My VitiBox, we particularly like (and encourage) this philosophy!

Terroir

The Domaine de la Chanade is located on the plateau Cordais, north of the Gaillac appellation. The vines are
planted on southern exposed hillsides. Thus, the grapes spend more time in the sunlight
which ensures a high level of concentration in sugars. This is why the wines of Domaine de la Chanade are so rich!

My VitiBox, July. 2015/ bouteille

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles. Delivery within 7 days.

This nice wine from Gaillac, made according to the principles
of sustainable agriculture, displays complex aromas of cinnamon, gingerbread and
red berries.

I found this blend of gros manseng and sauvignon very well done. This is an interesting balance between the opulent texture of gros manseng and the freshness of sauvignon. This harmonious wine will be perfect for the warm afternoons of spring paired with barbecued sardines... Summer is just around the corner!

Grape variety

This blend is typical of Gascogne and mixes on the one hand the creamy texture of gros manseng and on the other hand the fresh aromas of citrus fruits given by sauvignon, especially grapefruit and lime. The ugni blanc, provided by 50-year-old vines, complete this blend with refinement.

Appearance

White gold colour, crystal clear and bright..

Nez

Nose of citrus fruits (grapefruit and lime).

Bouche

Fresh and well-balanced mouth.

Service

Between 10°C et 12°C. open just before serving. until 2018.

Food and wine pairings

Grapefruit saladBarbecued sardinesOssau-Iraty cheesePineapple

A winemaker, a family/p>

The Fezas family has been in charge of the estate for more than 150 years. Six generations succeeded one to another sharing the same goal of enhancing the wines from this marvellous terroir of Gascogne. The name of the vineyard, Chiroulet, comes from “chiroula”, a specific wind that blows in the area almost all the time. This wind is a really good thing as it keeps the grapes fresh and healthy!

Terroir

The Domaine Chiroulet is located on the highest hills of Gascogne and therefore benefits from a southern exposure and strong winds that ensure grapes’ healthiness. The name “Les Terres Blanches” means “The White Soils” in French and refers to the limestone the vines are planted on.

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This harmonious wine will be perfect for the warm afternoons of spring paired with barbecued sardines... Summer is just around the corner!

When you think about Cahors, it’s not long before you think of Jean-Luc Baldès, one of the most talented winemakers of the appellation. I was not surprised to find in that wine delicious flavours of blackcurrant and of course a lot of tannins, as they are typical characteristics of malbec. However, I was more surprised to feel menthol aromas which were much more unexpected!

Grape variety

Nowadays, malbec is famous all around the world thanks to the wines from Argentina, where this variety is widely grown. Originally, malbec comes from the southwest of France, where it has been grown since the Middle Ages. France is still the second producer of malbec behind Argentina. This variety usually gives to the wines a deep colour with nice aromas of blackberries.

Since 1830, the Baldès family has been developing the Clos Triguedina passing from father to son the passion of making good wine and of course the skills to achieve that. Nowadays, Jean-Luc Baldès is an iconic figure of the appellation. Talented and passionate, he is known in the area under the name “the master of malbec”.

Terroir

The terroir of Cahors is known for being very dry. It rains very little, which is a wonderful thing for the grapes that hence can perfectly mature. The Clos Triguedina covers around 65 hectares of mixed clay, silica and limestone. Just remember that this kind of ground ensures that the vine is subjected to enough water stress to make sure that the grapes will develop various aromas.

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I was not surprised to find in that wine delicious flavours of blackcurrant and of course a lot of tannins, as they are typical characteristics of malbec. However, I was more surprised to feel menthol aromas which were much more unexpected!

Bordeaux is mostly famous thanks to the wines elaborated in Médoc on the left bank of the Gironde River. The dominant variety there is cabernet sauvignon. On the right bank, merlot is the main variety so the wines are known to be fruitier and less tannic. This one has spent 6 months aging in oak barrels: do you feel the aromas of wood and vanilla?

Grape variety

Merlot is the main variety in the Bordeaux region. The tale is that its name comes from the blackbirds, merles in French, who love to peck the grapes of merlot. It blends very well with the cabernet sauvignon known for its tannins. Indeed, merlot gives balance to the blend by bringing nice aromas of red berries, plum and spices.

Appearance

Purple colour with colored tears..

Nose

Intense, pleasant, wooded, vanilla and soft nose.

Mouth

Round mouth in velvet tannins.

Service

Between15°C and 17°C. Open just before serving. until 2020.

Food and wine pairings

PatéFlank steak with shallotUn Rocamadour cheeseVanilla Éclairs

A winemaker, a family

When Jacques Chardat arrived in 1991, the Château Lacaussade Saint-Martin was kind of a sleeping beauty. This oenologist from the University of Bordeaux was very ambitious, and started buying new vines to improve the global quality of the wine. More than 20 years later, the vineyard is now 50 hectares (it was 18 hectares in 1991) and produces a wine appreciated by some of the most influential wine critics.

Terroir

Along the Gironde River, the Chateau Lacaussade Saint-Martin is located on a poor ground made of a limestone vein, specific to the terroir which name is Blayais. As you might already know, the vines are fond of poor grounds. Indeed, the vine has to suffer from water stress in order to give concentrated fruits.

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This one has spent 6 months aging in oak barrels: do you feel the aromas of wood and vanilla?

I am really glad to present you Château d’Epiré as I think it is the best way to discover one of the best appellations in the Loire Valley for white wines: Savennières. The smell is expressive, with flavours of green apple and lemon. The taste is fresh and the finish displays displays very nice mineral aromas, typical from Savennières. Do not forget to serve it chilled, between 8 and 10°C!

Grape variety

In Savennières, things are simple as there is only one variety planted: chenin. This variety fully expresses its potential on grounds of limestone, which was also used to build the Châteaux de la Loire. Just remember that chenin is an elegant variety with refined aromas of tree fruits, dried fruits, citrus fruits, white flowers and even honey. Sounds good, doesn’t it ?

Appearance

Light yellow, bright and translucent colour..

Nose

Flavours of green apple and lemon.

Mouth

Lively and slightly acid mouth.

Service

Between 8°C and 10°C. Open just before serving. until 2018.

Food and wine pairings

Sea urchinsGrilled zanderGoat cheeseCandied lemons

A winemaker, a family

Many people in the Savennières area consider the Château d’Epiré an historical treasure. Indeed, it is the only vineyard that has remained in the same family, the Bizard family, since the 17th Century. Nowadays, it is Luc who manages the vineyard with the will of giving to his wines the mineral aromas typical from Savennières and to perpetuate the family traditions.

Terroir

Savennières’reputation comes from its dry white wines, often called the « Grands Crus » of the Loire Valley. The terroir of Savennières is located in a microclimate that offers the benefits of not having too many thunderstorms. Thus, the grapes mature faster and better than around the appellation.

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The taste is fresh and the finish displays displays very nice mineral aromas, typical from Savennières. Do not forget to serve it chilled, between 8 and 10°C!

I selected this wine from Domaine Jean-Maurice Raffault because even if it was just bottled as it is the 2014 vintage, it already shows a lot of richness. Its aromas of strawberry and spices are typical of the Loire Valley, but the aromas of banana are more unexpected. Having fun with wine by being surprised is something I love. To enjoy the wine even more, pair it with a tripe sausage or a camembert cheese.

Grape variety

Cabernet franc is one of the oldest varieties of the Bordeaux region, where it is from. It is still cultivated by some of the most prestigious
Château like Cheval-Blanc in Saint-Emilion. The fact that it matures so quickly (it is quite often the first variety harvested in Bordeaux)
allows it to be cultivated in the Loire Valley, even if it is a colder region.

Appearance

Ruby colour with raspberry reflections..

Nose

Flavours of strawberry and banana.

Mouth

Spicy aromas and tannic texture.

Service

between 14°C and 16°C. open one hour before serving. now
and until 2020.

In 1693, Mathurin Bottreau, ancestor of theRaffault family, became the owner of the family’s first vines. Since then, 14 generations have worked on the development of the estate! Rodolphe Raffault, now in charge of the vineyard, is constantly looking for innovation in the making of his wines. He was among the first ones implementing malolactic fermentation in Chinon to soften the tastes of the wines.

Terroir

The town of Chinon is located on the banks of the Vienne River in Indre-et-Loire. The vineyards of Chinon are located in a really unique microclimate that
reminds some places around the Mediterranean Sea. The soil consists almost entirely of erosional scree and gravels on top of rather hard limestone.

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Its aromas of strawberry and spices are typical of the Loire Valley, but the aromas of banana are more unexpected.

I found this organic wine really well made. I enjoyed its flavours of red berries and cherry blossom. We feel the talent when we feel the silky texture that only the best winemakers
of Touraine achieve to get in their wines. There is also a little bit of bitterness in the finish, which shows the organic side of the wine. I suggest youpair it with a vanilla panna cotta with raspberry sauce.

Grape variety

This cuvee is a blend of gamay and cabernet franc. It is a pretty common blend in the Loire Valley. Gamay comes from Beaujolais where it is still the main variety. And gamay is not any grape variety. Indeed, it has a rare specificity that is that its skin is black but its juice is white.

In 2010, Marie and Thierry Delaunay, owner of the Domaine Delaunay, chose to buy three hectares of organic vines to their Japanese neighbour. As the estate was named after the Japanese winemaker, they had to change the name. It occurs that the estate was along the Rue de
La Brosse, hence the name brossette that means hedgehog in casual French.

Terroir

With 4000 hectares, Touraine is one of the biggest appellations
in the Loire Valley, and the estates there are
usually pretty big. It is not the case of Domaine de La Brossette since it only covers three hectares, but located in the area known to give the best wines. The soil is a mix of sand and clay and the surface is covered with pebbles. This kind of soil guarantees to wine to remain
healthy, therefore helping to make organic wines.

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There is
also a little bit of bitterness in the finish, which shows the organic side of the wine.

What I love about this wine is that when you smell it, you instantly land in the south of
France during a sunny summer listening at the cicadas singing. Each of the three grape varieties perfectly play their part bringing together spicy flavours, red berries aromas and a long and fresh finish. This gourmet wine will perfectly pair with mixed salads with sliced ham
and olives.

Grape variety

The blending of these three varieties is fairly typical of wines from the Languedoc appellation, and gives birth to balanced wines. Syrah brings colour to the wine and a framed structure, when the grenache shines through its generosity with its silky texture and its aromas of red and black fruits. Mourvèdre enriches the aromas with flavours of more complex spices, especially pepper.

Through its wines, Jean-Benoît Cavalier wants to demonstrate all the generosity of the Languedoc terroirs. To reach this goal, he had to take risks by modernizing his winemaking facility during the 1990s. This bet was a success as Château Lascaux is one of the most famous names
in the area.

Terroir

The Languedoc-Roussillon vineyard is the oldest and
largest vineyard in the world, spanning more than 200 000 hectares. The terroir of Château Lascaux is distinguished by its very hard limestone soils covered with garrigue. This vegetation made of juniper, thyme, rosemary, lavender and sage is typical of the south of
France. Its scents remind heat, cicadas and relaxation. Close to the garrigue, grapes impregnate its flavours and then take it all the way through the bottle onto your palate. Well done!

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What I love about this wine is that when you smell it, you
instantly land in the south of France during a sunny summer listening at the cicadas
singing.

There is a lot of freshness in that wine. I really appreciated the mineral aromas that come straight from the flints that the soil of Touraine is made of. Its aromas of fresh citrus and white fruits should definitely please you. This wine is to be enjoyed with friends around
a seafood platter. I am really happy to present this wine, made with passion by Fabien and Laurence Dinocheau, brother and sister, who really love their terroir and are rising stars in the Loire valley.

Grape variety

Sauvignon is the main grape variety for the white wines in Touraine. Widely used in other French wine regions, its success lies far across
France’s borders. Indeed, this is also the main variety in New Zealand! It gives very different aromas depending on where it is planted: citrus
fruits, white fruits… and even fresh herbs!

Appearance

Light green gold colour..

Nose

Flavours of grapefruit, lime and white fruits.

Mouth

A lot of freshness in the mouth and a refreshing.

Service

Between 9°C et 11°C. Open juste before
serving. now and until 2018

Food and wine pairings

Seafood platterFresh goat cheeseGrapefruit salad

A winemaker, a family

Seen from far away, the Dinocheau family could seem lazy. Indeed, their policy is to do the least they can on their vines. This results in a minimization of the use of herbicide to control soil erosion. «We
produce wines that reflect the characteristics of our land”. Thus, thanks to the Dinocheau, it really is a piece of Touraine that you sip while
drinking their delicious sauvignon!

Terroir

The Dinocheau vineyard is located at the very heart
of the Loire region, in the middle of all the Châteaux. Chambord, Chenonceau, Amboise… are certainly what attract so many tourists in the area, but they are not the only stars there. The flints on which the vines are planted are known to accumulate the heat of the sun during the day and to give it back to the grapes at night, ensuring that the sauvignon will reach a perfect maturity.

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I really appreciated the mineral aromas that come
straight from the flints that the soil of Touraine is made of.

Do you know the Roussette de Savoie? For the last few years, I have been spending the winters in Chamonix, in the Savoie region.Thus, Roussette is a grape variety that I
drink and enjoy almost every week. I thought it would be nice to choose for once a wine
from the mountains so as to discover the aromas of this widely unknown terroir that
is Savoie. I hope you will enjoy the flavours of honeysuckle and honey. It is the perfect wine for a raclette party or a crème brulée.

Grape variety

In French, “Altesse” means “Highness”. This grape variety was brought back to France by the Dukes of Savoie. At the beginning,
only the aristocracy was allowed to drink wines made from this grape variety. Now, France is a Republic, and the variety is called
“Roussette de Savoie”. It gives dry white wines, with very powerful aromas of fresh white flowers and citrus fruits.

Appearance

Gold colour with green reflections..

Nose

Nice aromas of honeysuckle and acacia honey.

Mouth

Silky texture with small acid bubbles.

Service

between 10°C and 12°C. Open just before serving. Ready to drink now and until 2017

Food and wine pairings

QuicheRacletteCrème brûlée with honey

A winemaker, a family

In the Savoie region, winemaking is often a family business. The Vulliens are no exception to this rule. Indeed, Jean Vullien, who created the estate, was himself son and grandson of winemakers. He is proud to carry on the tradition. And he shares his pride with his wife Jeanine, and his two sons David and Olivier who also work at the estate.

Terroir

The terroir of the mountains give very specific wines. Indeed, in order to find its nutrients through the rocks, the vine has to grow very long roots. Moreover,
the Roussette vines are grown in a very windy area. The consequence is that the grapes grown there have a lot of freshness to offer.

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I hope you will enjoy the flavours of honeysuckle and honey. It is the perfect wine for a raclette party or a
crème brulée

I was really surprised to find such a good value for money in Bordeaux. Certainly, it is not at the level of the best “Grands Crus” of
Bordeaux, but this vintage of Château Monrecueil has a lot to offer and is perfect for
a Sunday family meal! The nose reveals herbaceous - I particularly found the fern
- and floral aromas. On the palate, the wine is soft, fresh and fruity, which is the signature
of a wine only elaborated with merlot.

Grape variety

Merlot is now the main grape variety in Bordeaux (it used to be cabernet
sauvignon). Merlot is known to give soft wines with a silkier texture and less tannins than its friend cabernet sauvignon. Fun fact: Chateau Petrus, the most expensive Bordeaux wine made in Pomerol next to Saint- Emilion, is made from merlot at 95%.

Appearance

Garnet red colour with purple reflections..

Nose

Fine aromas of fern and peony.

Mouth

Silky texture, with fresh and fruity flavours.

Service

between 14°C and 16°C. Open just before opening. Ready to drink
now and until the end of 2016.

Food and wine pairings

PâtéLamb kebabsCamembert cheeseBlueberry pie

A winemaker, a family

Throughout history, the estate had very numerous owners. The most famous one, François de Belcier, secretary of Louis XVI, got his head cut off during the French Revolution. Nowadays, the estate is owned by MACIF, an insurance company that invested like many other insurance companies in Bordeaux estates. They put a new team in charge.

Terroir

The estate is located on the terroir of Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux, one of the first areas where vines were planted
in Bordeaux millenniums ago. This land is adjacent to Saint-Emilion and therefore has a clay and limestone soil of high quality. If you enjoy gardening, you might know that clay retains a lot of water. Therefore, the vine is perfectly moistened all the time. Limestone is a great friend to clay as it drains really well the water and retains heat that it gives back to the vine during colder times.

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Certainly,
it is not at the level of the best “Grands Crus” of
Bordeaux, but this vintage of Château Monrecueil has a lot to offer and is perfect for
a Sunday family meal!

We met Jean Lacugue last November at a wine tasting event dedicated to the Saint-
Chinian appellation. I really enjoyed the 2008 vintage, and chose to select it for the January
Vitibox as it has already developed a lot of tertiary aromas, that are the ones due to the aging of wine. As most people drink less often
this kind of wines, I figured it would be a nice experience.

Grape variety

The blend of this wine might seem weird as winemakers usually choose round numbers. Indeed, while drinking this wine, you’ll be
drinking 34% of grenache noir, 37% of syrah, 15% of cinsault and 14% of carignan. It shows how much Jean Lacugue wants to reach
the best result possible for his wines. These southern varieties each express themselves in this complex vintage.

Appearance

Deep purple red colour..

Nose

Mature aromas (Chocolate, leather, mushrooms).

Mouth

Soft texture and tannins.

Service

between 14°C et 16°C. Drink as soon as the bottle is opened.From now and until 2017.

Food and wine pairings

Stuffed sweet peppersRoasted chickenFresh goat cheeseChocolate cake

A winemaker, a family

Château Milhau-Lacugue is located in Puisserguier, in the south of the Saint-Chinian appellation. It is located on one of theroutes that pilgrims used to take to Santiago de Compostela in the Middle Ages. Fun fact: the Romans were very numerous in this area in Ancient history, so you might
find relics of these times walking through the vineyards.

Terroir

The clay and limestone slopes on which the vines are
planted have an interesting southeast exposure for the development of the vine. The porous soil encourages the roots to go very deep into the ground, which gives a lot of nutrients to the grapes. This terroir also gives
great acidity to the wine.

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I really
enjoyed the 2008 vintage, and chose to select it for the January Vitibox as it has already
developed a lot of tertiary aromas, that are the ones due to the aging of wine.

Bernard Duseigneur was one of the first winemakers to work with My Vitibox a few years ago. His wines have a great style and taste wonderful, and when Bernard presented us this new vintage elaborated in his Châteauneuf-
du-Pape vineyard, I immediately felt in love
with it. It’s fruity, it’s refined, it’s silky, it’s powerful and it’s 100% organic!

Grape variety

Grenache is a very vigorous and fertile grape variety. It is very resistant to wind and drought (which is why it is such a common
variety in Spain). Syrah is an expressive variety, with abundant vegetation. It is more delicate than grenache, and fully blossoms in
well moistened areas as it fears drought.

Appearance

Deep ruby red colour that shows the youth of the wine..

Nose

Intense and fruity (cherry) and a little spicy (white pepper).

Mouth

Well balanced and elegant.

Service

Between 14°C et 16°C. Drink as soon as the bottle is opened. From now and until 2019

The Duseigneur estate is located in the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and covers 30 hectares spread over the appellations of Châteauneuf-du-Pape,
Lirac and Cotes du Rhone Villages Laudun. In 1967, Jean Duseigneur inherited the family estate and decided to give up fertilizers. As a consequence, the Duseigneur estate was a few years later able to produce only organic wines.

Terroir

These ancient alluvial terraces of the Rhone are composed
of rounded flint pebbles. The pebbles are an essential component of the soil as they naturally preserve soil moisture and allow the vines to withstand long periods of drought. They also maintain the surface humus
layers that otherwise would be leached during heavy rains.

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For this Vitibox dedicated to the wines of Bordeaux, I really felt like making you discover
Château Haut-Meyreau. It is not located in one of Bordeaux top appellations, but the winemaker’s skills seem to be enough to build a reputation since the Château is out of stock six months a year. This wine is very elegant, with subtle aromas of flowers.

Grape variety

Merlot and cabernet sauvignon work really well together! Merlot is the most common grape in the Bordeaux region, although this dominance is quite new. In the nineteenth century, it was the cabernet sauvignon that was the most cultivated variety. But after the
second world war, the right bank of Bordeaux, where the merlot was dominant, got more and more successful, thanks to its prestigious
appellations like Pomerol or Saint-Emilion. Merlot has less tannins than cabernet sauvignon, which makes it easier to enjoy young.

Appearance

A light garnet red colour, with hints of blue and purple..

Nose

Fine aromas of flowers and leaves.

Mouth

Mouth light and fruity, slightly spiced.

Service

between 12°
et 14°C Drink as soon as the
bottle is opened.Ready to drink from now and until 2017.

Food and wine matching

Veal carpaccioYassa chickenSheep’s cheeseRed berries pie

A winemaker, a family

The wine estate is located in the “Entre-deux-Mers” area, in Dardenac, just outside of Saint-Emilion. Over the years, the estate grew by buying new parcels to its neighbours. From 5 hectares in 1802, it grew to 76 hectares today, which is quite impressive!

Le terroir

The Château Haut-Meyreau is located in Dardenac, ten kilometres from Saint-Emilion. The vineyard covers
76 hectares. The subsoil is made of clay and limestone. It is an excellent terroir as the clay keeps a lot of rainwater to moisten the vines all year long. It strikes a balance with the strong sun of Bordeaux, ideal to grow great merlot and cabernet-sauvignon.

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I am quite happy I found this delicious Côtes de Blaye. The mouth is smooth and
harmonious. It is like having a ballet dancer wearing a silk dress in your mouth. The finish,
which is the taste that stays on the palate after the wine has been swallowed, is long and spicy.

Grape variety

The blend merlot - cabernet sauvignon is emblematic of Bordeaux. Indeed, most of the wines from Bordeaux are made from these
two varieties, sometimes adding a third one in very small quantity. Merlot develops fine red berries aromas and gives softness to the
wine. Cabernet sauvignon brings acidity and strong tannins. It is also mostly thanks to cabernet sauvignon that this wonderful wine
has some aging potential.

Appearance

Deep garnet red colour with purple nuances..

Nose

Nose is intense and complex with clear notes of cherry.

Mouth

Well balanced with a smooth texture.

Service

Around 16°C. Uncork the bottle 15
minutes before drinking. Drink from now
and until 2017.

The Gregory family is well known around the vineyards of Bordeaux. Their ancestors started making money by selling harvesting machines. But working with so many winemakers made them feel like making their own wine and this is how they bought several estates in Bordeaux,
including Chateau Puynard and the famous Château La Rivière.

Terroir

The vineyard of Château Puynard covers 17 hectares. The vines are planted on hillsides along the Gironde river, in the Côtes de Blaye area. The close underground is a mix of clay and sand. When you go deeper, the underground has several limestone layers. This makes a really good terroir to grow highly concentrated
grapes of merlot.

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The finish,
which is the taste that stays on the palate after the wine has been swallowed, is long and spicy./p>

Do you know Savennières? Well, I am pleased to introduce you to this appellation
with one of its best ambassadors, Château La
Franchaie. This very pleasant wine, with mineral and saltyflavours, also has very
small oxidative aromasthat give a subtle taste of nuts and dried fruits. This wine is very well balanced between unctuosity and alcohol, and personally I love it !

Grape Variety

In Savennières, only one grape variety is allowed: the Chenin Blanc (also known as Pineau de la Loire). This kind of grape is mainly grown in the Loire Valley as it adapts little elsewhere in the world. White wines from Anjou (including Savennières) are mainly made from that variety. In Montlouis and Vouvray, winemakers make all kinds of white wines, from dry sparkling to sweet wines using.

Service between 10° and 12°C; Drink as soon as the bottle is opened. Ready to drink from now and until 2017

Food and wine matching

MusselsFried fishFresh goat cheeseRoast apples

A wine, a family

Loïc Mahe produces a wine that reflects what nature has to offer in this region. Indeed, he doesn’t want to work too much on the vines so as to let it express the terroir. He does not use chemical fertilizers, lets the grass grows as it wants in the vines, and of course, harvests the grapes by hand. His vision is just to help nature expressing itself, not giving his personality to his wine.

Terroir

Savennières is a small appellation that lies south of Angers
on the right bank of the Loire. The Château itself is located near Possonnière in the hills of the appellation. The ground is made of schist. This laminated and fractured soil gives vine roots the opportunity to penetrate seven or eight feet deep, where rainwater naturally flows and where it can find the best nutriments.
Moreover, this kind of soil keeps a lot of warmth from the sun, which protects the vines during winter.

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Do you know Savennières? Well, I am pleased to introduce
you to this appellation with one of its best
ambassadors, Château La Franchaie.

This month, I am happy to present a wine from Bergerac. It is rich and well structured,
with very intense flavours. It is very smooth on the palate and shows smoky aromas of oak. I would definitely recommend serving this wine
with a beautiful piece of beef, why not some tasty beef from Bergerac where cow breeding
is prevalent. If you wish, you can also let it age in you cellar.

Grape variety

This wine is a blend of most of the grape varieties you find in this part of France for red wines: merlot, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon and malbec. Merlot gives the wine flavours of red fruits and softens the tannins. The Cabernet Sauvignon and the Malbec balance that with a strong body and spicy and smoky flavours.

When we think about Bergerac, we usually think about the very good sweet wines this terroir provides Montbazillac, Montravel or Saussignac). But the fact is that you can find great red wines in the vineyards of Bergerac, such as the Château LamotheBelair, that was awarded several times. Château LamotheBelair is managed by StéphanePuyol who is the proud owner of two Châteaux in Saint-Emilion with evocative names:Barberousse (Barbarossa) and Montremblant!

Terroir

Château Lamothe Belair is located 12km from Saint-Emilion, on the extension of the hills of Saint-Emilion. The soil is clay and limestone as most of the land in the Bordeaux/Southwest area. This kind of soil retains a lot of water and keeps it fresh, balancing the effects of the sun in order to keep the hint of freshness the wine needs.

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Sold by cases of 3 and 6 bottles until 30 November 2014. Delivery within 21 days.

This month, I am happy to present a wine from Bergerac.
It is rich and well structured, with very intense flavours. It is very smooth on the palate and shows smoky aromas of oak.

We already offered a wine from the Pellehaut estate a few months ago. We got many enthusiastic feedbacks, so I decided
to select another wine from the same winemaker. Once again, it is a white wine, but a
sweet wine this time. Balanced, and surprisingly light, which is rarely the case with sweet wine, this wine is one of my favourites
of the moment and this is a very good value for money!

Grape variety

We have not had many opportunities to discover Gros Manseng with My Vitibox! This grape grows in the south west of France and
is widely used in production of sweet wines. You will recognize it by its aromas of apricot and quince among others. It is less rich and
less refined than its cousin, Petit Manseng. However it gives rise to wines that I find very enjoyable.

Service : between 8 and 10°C; open just before serving. to taste now or until 2019

Food and wine matching

Grilled foie grasDublin bay prawnsBlue cheeseCinnamon baked apples

A winemaker, a family

A long time ago, many farms in the south west of France were making their own wine. Most of them gave up farming to only focus on wine, and Pellehaut is one of the rare estate still mixing farming and winemaking. It’s a very precious resource for the culture: the cows are fed the cereals
and then produce the best natural fertiliser.

Terroir

Located on the same hill as the Chateau Pellehaut,
turned toward the south, the vineyard benefits from a very good exposure to the sunshine. This terroir gives very mature grapes, with a lot of sugar, and a low acidity. This is how the winemaker can make wines so soft.

My VitiBox, October. 2014/ bouteille

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles until the 30th november 2014.Delivery within 21 days.

Balanced,
and surprisingly light, which is rarely the case with sweet wine, this wine is one of my favourites of the moment and this is a very
good value for money!

2007 is clearly not the best vintage in Bordeaux. However, several winemakers, by working hard, still managed to produce nice wines. This is the case of this wine from Côtes de Castillon. A young wine is often characterized by its very fruity aromas, and a more evolved one like this one shows aromas of fresh grass and humus. Ideal with Camembert cheese and sliced truffles!

Cépage

Merlot is a grape variety that gives intensely dark wines. The wines are full-bodied yet low in tannins, with flavours of plum and sometimes chocolate as the wine ages. Cabernet Franc will bring fine tannins and aromas of red berries and spices. The blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc gives the wine complexity and a beautiful bouquet.

Appearance

Robe is purple with light mahogany highlights..

Nose

Nose reveals undergrowth and hummus.

Mouth

On the palate, we feel a nice texture and smooth spices

Service

To be served: between 14 and 16°C. Open just before serving. Keeping potential until 2017.

Françoise Lannoye discovered late she had a vocation for winemaking. Before, she was working in Paris with her husband as a real estate
agent. Buther parents, who were farmers themselves, taught her to love wine and terroir when she was a child.So it is quite naturally that she decided to go to Bordeaux in order to make wine. That is why she bought Chateau Moulin de Clotte 12 years ago.

Terroir

The 8-acre estate Chateau Moulin de Clotte is located in the Côtes de Castillon vineyard, just next to Saint-
Emilion. The soil is clay and limestone which is a very nurturing environment for the roots of the vine.This part of the Bordeaux region is maybe the best place on Earth to grow Merlot, the main grape variety there.

My VitiBox, October. 2014/ bouteille

Sold by cases of 3 and 6 bottles until 30 November 2014. Delivery within 21 days.

A young wine is often characterized by its very fruity aromas,
and a more evolved one like this one shows aromas of fresh grass and humus. Ideal with Camembert cheese and sliced truffles!

This white wine has a good quality/price ratio. It is a soft wine with a light typical viognier
nose, mingling notes of white flowers, pear and almonds with a very pleasant finish. I particularly appreciate theroundness of this
wine, not so common for wines from this price range. I advise you to taste it with friends, paired with a light meal.

Grape variety

Viognier is a vigorous grape variety that almost disappeared during the 20th century! Originally from northern Rhone, itsuffered a lot from both phylloxera and the First World War: in 1965,there were only 8 small hectares of viognier remaining...! Today, this variety spreads all over the world, especially in California where it is highly appreciated. What a beautiful come back!

Service :between 9 and 11°C. Open just before serving. to taste now or until 2016.

Food and wine matching

MelonFish GratinCondrieu CheesePear pie

A winemaker, a family.

The team currently managing the winery has opted for organic methods that result in a good soil conservation and a limited use of pesticides.
Only 4 to 6 treatments of the vines per year are necessary, while the average in the French vineyards is 16 per year !

Terroir

Located in the north of Béziers, the vineyard of 60 hectares of Pierre-Belle grows on clay-limestone
slopes exposed to the Mediterranean sun. This is an ideal location for the viognier, that requires regular sunshine exposureto express all its aromas, along with a poor limestone ground for its roots development.

My VitiBox, September. 2014/ bouteille

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles until the 31th october 2014.Delivery within 21 days.

It is a soft
wine with a light typical viognier nose, mingling notes of white flowers, pear and almonds
with a very pleasant finish.

Lirac is the appellation located just in front of Chateauneuf Du-Pape! In the Lirac vineyard, we can also find the famous rounded pebbles,
so characteristic of Châteauneuf: those little stones were made famous thanks to their ability ofstoring heat during the day to return it to the vines at night. This wine is sophisticated, and I truly enjoyed the silky tannins, the spicy notes and the good balance
of alcohols. Powerful, it goes perfectly with strong dishes, such as meat in sauce.

Grape variety

Grenache is a grape of high quality, present on the Mediterranean front. Colorful and generous, it has a high alcoholic degree. On the other hand, Syrah reveals its silky tannins, and brings smooth touches of violet and blackberry.

Appearence

Robe intense purple-red, with purple reflections..

Nose

Nose intense and complex, with a hint of animal touch (horse) and spice (pepper).

Bouche

Powerful mouth and refined tanins.

Service

Service : between 14 and 16°C; open just before serving. to taste now or until 2017

Food and wine matching

Beef tartareRabbit with mustardBanon cheeseRoasted figs

A winemaker, a family

The domaine Coudoulis managed to maintain a good reputation since its takeover by Bernard Callet in 1996. This winemaker’s choices have a lot to play in this reputation: indeed, the yield is limited to 42 hectoliters per hectare, harvest is done manually and the grappes destalking is made very carefully so that the tanks contain the least possible impurities.

Terroir

The vines grow on a red calcareous-clay soil, full of pebbles accumulating heat during the day and returning
it at night. The terraces above the village of Saint-Laurent-les-Arbres ensure a flow of rainwater, hence avoiding any stagnation that would damage the roots, while the Mistral wind regulates the humidity of the vineyard.

My VitiBox, September. 2014/ bouteille

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles until the 31th october 2014.Delivery within 21 days.

This wine
is sophisticated, and I truly enjoyed the silky tannins, the spicy notes and the good balance
of alcohols. Powerful, it goes perfectly with strong dishes, such as meat in sauce.

« Over the last few months, with the team, we tasted several cuvees from Chinon, produced
with Cabernet Franc, but we didn’t find any that we really enjoyed, except this one! The Manzagol family is very passionate about grapevines and earth, and that is why it
decided to cultivate its grapevines using organic techniques. In this cuvee, the winemaker
succeeded in softening tannins of the Cabernet Franc, that can sometimes be too bitter. Don’t
hesitate to let us know what you think about this cuvee! »

Grape variety

This wine was produced from 100% Cabernet Franc. This grape variety usually produces wines with plant aromas, and especially green pepper. We find Cabernet Franc on half of the cultivated areas in Aquitaine and in the Loire Valley.

Eye

Garnet robe with violet-blue reflections.

Nez

Nose of carbonic maceration, with red fruits hints.

Mouth

Round, fresh and fruity, with green pepper hints.

Service

Service : open just before serving (wine produced with organic
techniques, to drink within 24h maximum after opening)

Food and wine matching

Chicken livers saladRare beef

Camembert

Cherries

A wine, a family

As often in the wine industry, the de la Noblaie domain is a family-owned business. Indeed, the Manzagol family owns the domain for three generations
now. This domain is located in the “Vau Breton” hamlet, which means “the region of Cabernet Franc” in the Rabelais’ language.

Terroir

Grapevines of this cuvee are planted on clay-limestone soils. This is a well-balanced soil combining clay and its freshness to the filtering ability of limestone.
Wines produced on this kind of soil are sophisticated. Enjoy the fruit aromas and the delicacy of this powerful cuvee.

My VitiBox, July 2014/ bouteille

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles until the 31th August 2014.Delivery within 21 days.

Over the last few months, with the team, we tasted several
cuvees from Chinon, produced with Cabernet Franc, but we didn’t find any that we really enjoyed, except this one!

« That is a cuvee with a high alcoholic degree: 14,5°. It is ideal to match with your main
dish, but you should probably plan a nap in the afternoon ;) However, this cuvee is very well-balanced, and surprisingly, the alcoholic degree is quite pleasant. You will probably enjoy
its complex nose with bay tree, juniper berry and garrigue aromas. Share it during a long
dinner with old friends! »

Grape variety

This cuvee from the Eole domain is a blend of three grape varieties that perfectly match together: Grenache, Shiraz and Carignan. This blend enables to produce well-balanced wines.
Grenache brings generosity and roundness, Shiraz brings a nice color and strong red fruits and violet aromas, while Carignan brings structure and increases the aging potential of the wine.

Eye

Deep ruby red robe with violet-blue reflections.

Nose

Complex nose, spicy and wild.

Mouth

Supple, winy, fresh and fruity.

Service

Service : between 14 and 16°C; open 1 hour before serving. to taste now or until 2021

Food and wine matching

Olive cakeVeal tenderloin

Banon

Prunes

A wine, a family

This domain starts to be famous, and I am sure that it will have a lot of success within the coming years. This domain was created bytwo men that are passionate by vinegrapes and seduced by this exceptional terroir: Matthias Wimmer, a sommelier that lives wine, and Christian Raimont, owner of the domain since 1996.

Terroir

Eole domain is spread on 30 hectares in Eygalières, at
the bottom of Alpilles, in Provence (South of France). Provence is a dry region, not ideal for culture. But, the alliance of these weather conditions and a soil that is not very fertile makes of this place an exceptional terroir.
Grapevines are planted on sandy limestone soils
with a lot of stones. Subsoil is deep and filtering, that enables to drain and heat up soil.

My VitiBox, July 2014/ bouteille

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles until the 31th August 2014.Delivery within 21 days.

That is a cuvee with a high alcoholic degree: 14,5°. It is ideal to match with your main dish, but you should probably plan a nap in the afternoon!

«Sunny days are coming, and I really wanted you to taste a nice rosé, fresh, fruity and light. One that would be perfect for the first pre-dinner drinks with your friends! I finally found this rosé from the Valensac domain, and I really enjoyed its nose full of strawberry and white flowers aromas.
Without too much alcohol, this cuvee is perfect both for pre-dinner drinks and for summer dinners. »

Grape Variety

Grenache is one of the most widely planted red wine grape varieties in the world, and it is mainly cultivated in France and in Spain. Once turned to rosé, it produces fruity wines, with a silky mouth and a pale color.

Eye

Light salmon pink robe with pale pink reflections.

Nose

Nose full of fruits and flowers (white flowers), lemon hints.

Mouth

Rich and complex mouth, round and winy.

Service

Service : Between 10 and 12 degree. Open just before serving. To taste now or until 2015.

Food and wine matching

Mexican saladSausages

Goat cheese

Strawberry ice cream

A winemaker family

The Lafon family has been owning the Valensac domain for generations, but it is now managed by Edwige Thuilé as the Lafon family moved to Brussels. It is an interestind domain as they cultivate unusual grape varieties for the Languedoc-Roussillon region, such as Petit Manseng,
Riesling or Petit Verdot.

Terroir

This property is located in the center of the Languedoc-
Roussillon region, very close to the editerranean sea. It benefits from the maritime influence, and that enables soils to be fresh despite the high temperatures during summer.

My VitiBox, June 2014/ bouteille

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles until the 31 july 2014. Delivery within 21 days.

Without too much alcohol, this cuvee is perfect both for pre-dinner drinks and for summer dinners. »

«The Grignan les Adhémars AOP (AOP = Appellation d’Origine Protégée, equivalent
to PDO, Protected Designation of Origin) was created in 2010, so it is very young! That is probably the first time you will taste a wine from this AOP. I really wanted to make you discover a wine produced by Laurent Bes, and that was
not easy as Laurent only produces few bottles. But we finally got some bottles for our subscribers. »

Grape variety

This wine was produced with 40% of Shiraz and 60% of Grenache. Just for you to know, Grenache is a grape variety that comes from the North of Spain, that produces powerful and
colorful red wines, with a long aging potential.

Service : Between 15 and 17 °C. Open just before serving. To taste now or until 2019.

Food and wine
matching

Goat cheese tartGrilled lamb

Tomme cheese

Roasted apricots with honey

A winemaker family

Once he got his diploma in the vine-growing industry, Laurent Bes
decided to take the management of his parents’ domain. Thanks to his different experiences in South Africa, he succeeded in making the domain famous. His cuvees are very appreciated by all the people that tasted them, and we will probably hear more about this domain in the coming years.

Terroir

Vineyards that produce the Grignan les Adhémars
AOP benefit from southern and northern influences of the Côtes du Rhone region. Vineyards are spread on the hills of Valaurie, an unusual soil made of flintstones. This kind of soil absorbs the heat of the sun during the day and distributes it during the night. Flintstones are important in the development of aromas.

My VitiBox, Juin 2014/ bouteille

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles until the 31th july 2014. Delivery within 21 days.

«The Grignan les Adhémars AOP (AOP = Appellation
d’Origine Protégée, equivalent to PDO, Protected Designation of Origin) was created
in 2010, so it is very young! That is probably the first time you will taste a wine from this
AOP »

«This wine was produced with the three main grape varieties of the Bordeaux region: merlot, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. Enjoy the soft tannins of this cuvee coming from the cabernet franc; discover its woody aromas and its garnet robe with purple reflections. I advice you to pair this wine with a nice rare or medium rare rib steak. Enjoy!»

Grape variety

The blend of these three grape varieties is common in the Bordeaux region. Merlot brings fruit hints and velvet feelings to the wine, while the cabernet sauvignon brings power and robustness. The cabernet franc, with fewer tannins, permits a faster aging and can be surprising with its vegetal aromas.

Eye

A deep garnet color with purple reflections.

Nose

Nose with toast and woody aromas, charming.

Mouth

Rich and complex mouth, round and winy.

Service

Service : Between 14 and 16°C. Open 1 hour before serving. To taste now or until 2017.

Food and wine matching

SausageRib steak

Camenbert

Peaches

A winemaker, a family

Château Bastian is a property of 7 hectares on the left bank of the Garonne. Brigitte and Stéphane Savigneux take care of this domain since 1988 and are often rewarded for their hard work. Indeed, they received an award from the Hachette Vin guide in 2014.

Terroir

The soil of this terroir is composed of sand and clay, with pebbles, stones and gravels. As the soil is poor, the vineyards need to go deep in the soils to find nutriments. Thanks to the pebbles, stones and gravels, the sun is reflected on the wine grapes that enables a better maturation of the grapes.

My VitiBox, May 2014/ bouteille

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles until the 30th of June 2014. Delivery within 21 days.

This wine was produced with the three main grape varieties of the Bordeaux region: merlot, cabernet sauvignon
and cabernet franc. Enjoy the soft tannins of this cuvee coming from the cabernet franc; discover its woody aromas and its garnet robe with purple reflections.

« This month, I recommend you to taste the cuvee Bosstok pinotage 2012, a real crush
with a good price/quality ratio. The winemaker decided to use a screw cap instead of a cork as it is often the case in South Africa: this avoids the wine to be corked. During blind tasting people often think that this wine costs £15-20. »

Grape Variety

Invented in 1925 by Abraham Perold, pinotage is a mix between pinot noir and cinsaut. Not very well known, this grape variety
produces powerful wines, with a bunch of aromas and elegant tannins. I particularly appreciate its roasted hints that come within the years.

Service : Between 12 and 14 degree; Open just before serving. To taste now or until 2019.

Accords mets-vin

Potted meatStuffed quail

Saint Félicien

Cherry pie

A wine, a family

This domain was created by three old friends that wanted to lead a vineyard at the tip of South Africa. Why M.A.N ? These letters correspond to the three initials of their wives: Marie, Anette and Nicky. Indeed, to convince their wives to let them start this adventure, they promised them to give their names to the vineyard.

Terroir

Grapevines are planted on the terroir of Bosstok in South Africa. This cuvee is at the image of its terroir:
very original! Indeed, this terroir is part of a huge bush that goes deep into the forest. Nothing in common with the landscapes in Burgundy, but the pinot noir also grows well in this region!

My VitiBox, May 2014/ bouteille

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles until the 30th of June 2014. Delivery within 21 days.

«I recommend
you to taste the cuvee Bosstok pinotage 2012, a real crush with a good price/quality ratio. »

« You probably have some difficulties to pronounce the name of this cuvee, don’t you? Ampeloméryx is a word that refers to a prehistoric mammal that had the habit to chew grapevine. But don’t worry, this cuvee has no animal taste! This is a nice cuvee with a beautiful crystalline robe containing white gold reflections. Appreciate its fresh mouth and its pink grapefruit hints. »

Grape variety

The Gros Manseng comes from the Pau region, in the south of France. For many years, this grape variety was only cultivated in this region, but other regions also started to cultivate it in recent years. It produces wines that are dry with quince and apricot hints.

Appearance

A beautiful crystalline robe with white gold reflections.

Nose

Intense nose, pleasant and fresh, with pink grapefruit hints.

Mouth

The mouth is fresh, light, acid and long.

Service

Service: between 10 and 12°C. Open just before serving. Aging potential until 2017.

Food and wine matching

Toasts with lump roeCod fillet with lemon

Goat cheese

Clementine salad

A winemaker, a family

In France, in the Gers region, the Béraut family continues to carry on the mixed farming tradition: vineyards, bovines and grains. We don’t have time to be bored in the Pellehaut domain! An interesting point is that the family comes from Montreal, but they surprisingly don’t have any accent. Indeed, apart from being the capital city of Quebec, Montreal is also a small village in the Gers region.

Terroir

Located on the slope of the Château de Pellehaut at an altitude of over 180m, the vineyard benefits from a nice sunlight. This climatic factor enables grapes to be more mature, with more sugar and less acidity. This makes the wine smoother.

My VitiBox, April 2014/ bouteille

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles until the 30th of April 2014. Delivery within 21 days.

This is a nice cuvee with a beautiful crystalline robe containing white gold reflections. Appreciate its fresh mouth and its pink grapefruit hints.

« Excellent price/quality ratio for this nice cuvee. This cuvee from the Domaine Tour Trencavel is typical of the Mediterranean wines. You will particularly appreciate its light garnet color with purple reflections, as well as its intense and pleasant nose, full of fig and blackberry aromas. Don’t hesitate to buy some cases of this cuvee on our website. »

Grape variety

This cuvee was produced with 70% of Grenache and 30% of Carignan. The Grenache brings suppleness and black fruit hints to the wine, while the Carignan brings power to the wine and enables the wine to evolve nicely.

Appearance

The robe has a light garnet color with purple reflections and micro-bubbles in suspension.

Nose

Intense and pleasant nose, with garigue, fig and black fruits aromas.

Mouth

The mouth is supple and slightly spiced.

Service

Service: Between 14 and 16°C. Open just before serving. Aging potential until 2017.

Food and wine matching

Poultry livers saladPork chop

Blue cheese

Dark chocolate brownies

A winemaker, a family

I met Jean-Luc Fabrie in Montpellier, and I immediately get along well with him. He is a good representative of people from the South of France: nice and smiling. Nice, but not only! He is using his talent to produce successful wines! He also likes picking truffles in the undergrowth of his domain!

Terroir

The Tour Trencavel domain, located in the Minervois, is spread on clay-limestone soils. A soil like this one enables to produce wines that are round, without being too fat. It also brings delicacy to the mouth.

My VitiBox, April 2014/ bouteille

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles until the 31st of May 2014. Delivery within 21 days.

Excellent price/quality ratio for this nice cuvee. This cuvee from the Domaine Tour Trencavel is typical of the Mediterranean wines.

« For several years, wines coming from the Pays d’Oc have suffered from a bad image, but their image has now been cleaned-up and they deserve it! While tasting this cuvee, you will directly feel its aromas of flowers and white fruits that will surely please you. This cuvee has just been bottled: you will therefore be among the first ones to taste it, so enjoy! »

Grape variety

Vermentino is a grape variety coming straight from Italy ! In the past, this grape variety was very widespread in Italy and in Sardinia as its grapes need a lot of sun! When it is vinified, the vermentino produces a dry single-variety white wine, light and fat at the s ame time, with a nice straw yellow color.

Oeil

The robe is translucent with light green reflections. This indicates that the wine is young.

Nez

The nose is ethereal, pleasant and intense. You can easily recognize aromas of flowers and white fruits.

Bouche

The mouth is fresh and well structured by the alcohol.

Service

Service : between 9 and 11°C. Open just before serving. Aging potential until 2017.

Food and wine matching

AnchoviesTrout with almonds

Tomme cheese

Exotic fruits panacotta

A winemaker, a family

The De Cibiens family owns the Château de Cabriac since 1802; we can say that they know a lot about wine! The domain is very successful in Japan and in Canada; and we particularly appreciate when French winemakers are successful abroad!

Terroir

The Domaine de Cabriac is located at the foot of the Mont Alaric, in the Corbières region. Its vineyards are already twenty years old: they start producing fewer grapes, but the wines produced are more concentrated and intense. Over the years, the vineyards developed their roots that now go deeper in the soils to find nutrients. Who said that getting old was bad?

My VitiBox, March 2014/ bouteille

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles until the 30th of April 2014. Delivery within 21 days.

This cuvee has just been bottled: you will therefore be among the first ones to taste it, so enjoy!

« This cuvee is a good barbera d’Alba that will become more and more complex through the years. Its specificity is its acidity that permits a nice equilibrium with the alcohol (14°). This wine was bottled one month ago so it is still young and it will become more complex through the years. »

Grape variety

The barbera is one of the first grape varieties that were produced in Italy. Actually, barbera comes from the word “barba” that refers to very complex roots, and “albéra” that refers to a place where we planted vineyards instead of a forest. It is a grape variety that produces dark and acid wines.

Appearance

The robe is opaque with purple reflections.

Nose

The nose is intense and pleasant. You can easily recognize aromas of fresh red fruits.

Mouth

Here, the mouth has a nice equilibrium and is typical of an Italian wine.

Service

Service: Between 14 and 16°C. Open just before serving. Aging potential until 2017.

Food and wine matching

CoppaRisotto

Brie cheese

Dark chocolate mousse

A winemaker, a family

From one generation to another and for five generations now, the members of the Fenocchio family have been land workers. We talked to them a lot over the past few weeks, and as they don’t speak English or French and as we don’t speak Italian, we had some surprising chats! Speaking with our hands on the telephone isn’t easy.

Terroir

Since 1684, the Fenocchio family cultivates 14 hectares of vineyards in the North West of Italy of which 2,5 hectares are used to cultivate barbera d’Alba. Aged of 30 years, the vineyards produce grapes that are more mature and with higher quality. In addition, the limestone soil favors the production of wines that are supple and very acid. However, its acidity is diminished by the volcanic sediments coming from the soil that brings delicacy to the wine.

My VitiBox, March 2014/ bouteille

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles until the 30th of April 2014. Delivery within 21 days.

This cuvee is a good barbera d’Alba that will become more and more complex through the years.

« As its name indicates, this wine is like a bunch of flowers in a bottle. Shake carefully your glass and put your nose into it. Repeat the action several times; you will then be able to identify the multitude of flowers that compose this cuvee. The mouth is supple and fresh, and the aftertaste is long and flowered. Enjoy your wine! »

Grape variety

The combination of muscat with small white grains and viognier is surprising. The muscat with small grains is full of rosewood and litchi aromas. You can especially taste hints of fruits (orange) and flowers (jasmine, lemongrass and vervain). The corpulence of the viognier, fatter and creamier, hig hlights musk and spices aromas.

Appearance

Nice white gold robe with gold reflections.

Nose

A beautiful nose! Put your nose into the glass at least four times after having shaked it carefully and you will easily identify the different aromas that compose this cuvee.

Mouth

The mouth is vivacious and fresh. You can notice that the flavours of the vigonier dominate.

Service

Service : between 10 and 12°C.&nbsp. Open just before serving. Keeping potential until 2016.

Jean Marc and Eliane Lafage are the owners of this domain that is six generations old and spread over 160 hectares. They are totally dedicated to this family owned company. Over the years, the cuvees got several rewards: 10 gold medals at the Concours Général de Paris, a national record! Their children, Léa – 7 years old – and Nicolas – 8 years old – are already very interested in being part of this adventure. We wish them as much success as their parents!

Terroir

Set in the foothills of the Pyrenees, the vineyards of the “Côté Floral” of the Domaine Lafage are cultivated on a clay-limestone subsoil. The clay brings freshness to the floor, a coolness that we also find in the wine, while its minerality comes from the lime stones. If you have the opportunity to go to the Domaine Lafage, you will probably notice the presence of tramontane, a wind from the North West, very strong in this region.

My VitiBox, February 2014/ bouteille

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles until the 31st of March 2014. Delivery within 21 days.

As its name indicates, this wine is like a bunch of flowers in a bottle.

« An excellent price/quality ratio for this cuvee that I selected among the different wines of this AOC tasted last month. The mourvèdre is a red grape variety with a spicy nose and pepper aromas. The oriental mouth is very subtle and becomes slightly bitter at the end. Don’t hesitate to purchase one or two cases of this wine, as it will be a pleasure to drink this wine in the next years. »

Grape variety

The Mourvèdre is a grape variety that produces wines with hints of spices (pepper). It needs a sunny climate with an omnipresent heat. On the contrary, the Syrah is less difficult to cultivate. As for the Grenache, it simplifies aftertaste: it enables to make the wine more supple and smoother.

Appearance

The robe has a light and deep garnet colour, dark with purple reflections.

Nose

Nose full of spices (pepper) and oriental hints.

Mouth

The mouth is subtle, winy and silky.

Service

Service : Between 14 and 16°C. Open 1 hour before serving. Keeping potential until 2016.

Food and wine matching

Mediterranean saladGuinea fowl

Tomme Cheese

Roasted figs

Winemaker

The Domaine Mas du Blanc is a family property since 1639. The actual owner, Jean Michel Parcé, produces wines of Banyuls and Collioure designations. The Parcé family, considered as the origin of the Collioure and Banuyls designations, has a regional reputation that is well deserved. It is one of the most beautiful vineyards in the department!

Terroir

The Domaine Mas du Blanc is spread over 19 hectares, cultivated on a schist stone subsoil. The wines that are growing on slaty soils have hints of undergrowth, and cooked and dried fruits. These wines are also known for being more alcoholic, with a long and pleasant aftertaste. But, it is harder to work on slaty soils due to a lack of limestone, that brings oxygen to the soils.

My VitiBox, February 2014/ bouteille

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles until the 31st of March 2014. Delivery within 21 days.

An excellent price/quality ratio for this cuvee. Don't hesitate to purchase one or two cases of this wine, as it will be a pleasure to drink this wine in the next years.

« I’ve traveled a lot in Savoy these days, and I really wanted to find a nice roussette to taste, and I found this beautiful cuvée of Philippe Grisard. The roussette is a white grape variety very interesting for wine tasting because it has a nice acidity, a floral bouquet, and tannins, that is rare for white wines. »

Grape Variety

The roussette, also called “goddess”, is one of the rare white grape varieties where we can feel the tannins. Wines produced from this grape have a fine acidity that reminds mountains’ freshness. They have a medium keeping potential (4 to 5 years).

Nose is intense, amusing. Flowers' flavours dominate the aromatic palette, followed by notes of acacia trees, sweet spices and honey.

Taste

Taste is round - that means without roughtness (we feel like making the wine moving in our mouth) - supple and fresh. It's very well balanced.

Service

Service : between 10 et 12°C. Open just before serving. Keeping potential until 2018.

Food and wine matching

Salad from SavoyTomato tart and perch fillet with olive oil, and its pesto sauce.

Tomme de Savoie Cheese

Yoghurt cake

Winemaker

Selected among the 10 winemakers of the year by Bettane and Desseauve in 2000, Philippe Grisard is a solid value in Savoy. He is well-known in the entire region for his vineyards growing talents: Indeed he makes the seeds for many wineries in Savoy.

Terroir

The Domaine Grisard extends for 15 hectares in the Combe de Savoie, between Chambéry and Albertville. Vineyards are located on mountains slopes in the natural park of Bauges. The muddy limestone slopes have draining capacity. This helps the production of wine with a high acidity level.

My VitiBox, January 2014/ bouteille

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles until the 28th of February 2014. Delivery within 21 days.

The roussette is a white grape variety very interesting for wine tasting because it has a nice acidity, a floral bouquet, and tannins, that is rare for white wines.

« I’ve been working with the Château Moulin Caresse for many years since these winemakers are passionate producers of wines with an excellent price/quality ratio. When tasting this cuvée – special lot of wine - you can find out the characteristics of wine made of merlot as unique grape variety. Indeed, Suppleness on the palate and fruity and spicy nose are typical of this varietal. This tipple goes well with everyday meals. »

Grape Variety

Considering the number of grape-vines, Merlot is the third red grape variety in France, after grenache and carignan. It produces high quality wines characterised by a strong nose of red fruits and spices. Its name comes from the Common Blackbirds - “Merles” in French -, which love having merlot grape as dessert.

Appearance

The robe - the appearance of the wine - is young and deep garnet, with violet-blue reflections and floating micro-bubbles.

Nose

Nice nose, typical of Merlot with aromas of red fruits and vanilla.

Taste

The fresh start reveals a supple and light taste.

Service

Service : Between 14°C and 16°C.&nbsp. Open just before serving. Keeping potential until 2016.

Food and wine matching

SalamiDuck breast fillet with salad

Mont de Lacaune Cheese

Red fruits compote and vanilla ice cream

Winemaker

Le Château Moulin Caresse, has been passed on from one generation to the next since 1749. It’s a close family business ran by Sylvie and Jean-François Deffage. Their son Laura, Quentin and Benjamin never miss the chance to help out.

Terroir

Château Moulin Caresse is located at 20km to the east of Saint-Emilion, on the border with Périgord. With its 42 hectars of grapevines, it dominated the valley of Dordogne. The vineyard is divided between the clay-limestone slopes, composed of a draining soil, and the sunny plane of Boulbènes.

My VitiBox, January 2014/ bouteille

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles until the 28th of February 2014. Delivery within 21 days.

When tasting this cuvée - special lot of wine - you can find out the characteristics of wine made of merlot as unique grape variety.

« This month I would like you to discover the Domaine de la Charmoise. Its wines are outstanding in terms of price quality ratio. The Ma- rionnets, the owners of this winery, are passionate about their work and this is shown in what they produce! This Cuvee Gourmande will probably enhance the St Pierre that the Chef Philippe Vétélé proposes this month. »

Grape variety

Gamay is a red grape variety with white juice and very productive. In wintertime, winemakers cut the branches holding grapes very short. Each hectare has a big density of vine trunks and roots. These two characteristics of gamay facilitate the production of red, fruity, fresh and savoury wines.

Service : between 11 and 13°C. Open just before serving. Keeping potential until 2016.

Food and wine matching

Platter of charcutetieChipolata with young vegetables

Valençay cheese

Pears poached in red wine

Winemaker

The Marionnet family arrived at Soings, in the east part of Touraine, 30 km to the south of Blois, during the 50s’. What’s the peculiarity of this winery? The Marionnets own the oldest grapevine of France, dated around 1850, before the phylloxéra crisis.

Terroir

The sauvignon has a strong presence in the Vallée de la Loire, and is highly demanded for its structure, its freshness and its wide range of aromas. Very sensible to diseases (especially powdery mildew), it harmed its culture for a long time. However, the progress of vine-growing permitted to develop its plantation since the 60’s.

My VitiBox, décembre. 2013/ bouteille

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles until the 31st of January 2014. Delivery within 21 days.

The Marionnets, the owners of this winery, are passionate about their work and this is shown in what they produce!

« I really liked the personality of the Château l’Escart’s wines, located on the way to Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle. You can notice it thanks to the numerous shells on the domain. The members of the Laurent’s family are biodynamic practitioners since 2005. The vintage 2010 of the cuvee Eden is one of the most “nature”. The mix of the aromas makes this wine unique and surprising. »

Grape Variety

The merlot and cabernet grape varieties are traditionally associated to Bordeaux. The first one is appreciated for its suppleness while the second one is well-known for its tannic structure. The malbec, also called “côt”, brings out color and softness to the wine.

Appearance

Light garnet colour with violet-blue reflections.

Nose

Fine and discrete, vegetal aromas with touches of pepper, delicately seasoned with aromas of spices and red fruits, such as blackcurrant.

Taste

Dynamic, with mint and liquorice touches.

Service

Service : Between 16°C and 18°C.&nbsp. Open 1 hour minimum before serving. Keeping potential until 2018.

Accords mets-vin

Duck terrineIberian pig

Old Cantal cheese

Cherry liqueur

Winemaker

Lorena and Damien Laurent took the succession of this family-owned company in 2005. The management of this domain is a nice challenge for them because, before being winemakers, Lorena was interior designer and Damien was a professional hockey player, playing in the Chamonix hockey club during 7 years.

Terroir

Located on the Bordeaux’s doors, the Château L’Escart’s vineyard is spread on 37 hectares of clay-limestone soils fine gravel. The presence of limestone gives freshness and length to the wine, while the clay brings out strength and density.

My VitiBox, December 2013/ bouteille

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles until the 31st of January 2014. Delivery within 21 days.

The vintage 2010 of the cuvee Eden is one of the most “nature”. The mix of the aromas makes this wine unique and surprising.

“ I love the fresh charm of this wine. It’s an explosion of fruits in your mouth that will delight your tastes.
I won’t hide you that I have already bought many bottles for my friends. I have to congratulate with the Klur family for his remarkable work and I am looking forward hearing your impressions on this bottle. Chef Georges Victor Schmitt proposes a delicious dish to be paired with Le Voyou de Katz.”

Grape variey

It’s a blended wine composed by the two driest varietals of Klur winery. Riesling and Sylvaner are typical of Alsace and they give a lively and sharp zest to wine. Muscat adds a sweet touch to the blend.

Appearance

Nice white gold colour with light green reflections.

Nose

Nose is fresh and intense at the same time. We clearly feel notes of orange peel and dried fruits.

Taste

Mouth is immediately supple and fresh. Then it surprises for its fruity richness. We clearly feel aromas of Golden apple.

Service

To be served: between 10 and 16°C. Open just before serving. Keeping potential until 2016.

The Klurs are an old dynasty of winemakers, like often happens in Alsace. Grapevine culture and winegrowing find their origins in the 17th century and it’s a family business. Clément and Francine Klur are also very committed to the biological and biodynamic agriculture and in the ecology.

Terroir

The Klurs are an old dynasty of winemakers, like often happens in Alsace. Grapevine culture and winegrowing find their origins in the 17th century and it’s a family business. Clément and Francine Klur are also very committed to the biological and biodynamic agriculture and in the ecology.

My VitiBox, November 2013/ bottle

Sold by cases of 3 and 6 bottles until 30 November 2013. Delivery within 21 days.

Alain loves the fresh charm of this wine. It’s an explosion of fruits in your mouth that will delight your tastes.

“The team of My VitiBox became bigger since when we welcomed Giorgia, a young Italian lady. I took the opportunity to turn to Sicily this month to let you discover an Italian grape variety, the Nero d’Avola. This varietal has particularly adapted to the Sicilian volcanic soil. This nice “little” wine is without pretentions but good quality and it goes well with simple but authentic dishes. There is no fuss in Sicily!"

Grape Variety

Nero d’Avola is a renowned Italian grape variety typical from Sicily. It is usually compared to the syrah and it produces strong wines, with a good balance between acidity and alcohol, and it has nice aromas of red fruits.

Service: between 12 et 14°C. Open just before serving. Keeping potential until 2016.

Food and wine matching

Caprese salad Truffle risotto

Pecorino cheese

Tiramisu

Winemaker

Mr Costantino likes saying that his ambition is “to capture flavours, smells and authenticity of Sicilian products”.
Established in1960 by Papà Onofrio, also called ”Nonò”, they are the third generations of winegrowers still passionate about vineyards and wine.

Terroir

Nero d’Avola is a renowned Italian grape variety typical from Sicily. It is usually compared to the syrah and it produces strong wines, with a good balance between acidity and alcohol, and it has nice aromas of red fruits.

My VitiBox, November. 2013/ bottle

Sold by case of 3 or 6 bottles until the 30th November 2013. Delivery within 21 days

This nice “little” wine is without pretentions but good quality and it goes well with simple but authentic dishes.

“A fine wine with an excellent price/quality ratio. Delicate aromas of strawberry and pepper come out from the blend of grenache and syrah. Wine is charming, fresh and fruity in the mouth. The aftertaste is sophisticated. The minimalist elegance will inebriate your senses. You can match this wine with the menu of Chef Michael Nizzero to spend good moments!

Grape variety

This wine is a blend of grenache (60%) and syrah (40%). Grenache is easily recognisable due to his thick, hard and bluehis skin. Grapes are big and fruits are juicy. It’s what we call a “generous” varietal. It’s known for his aromas of cassis and spicy blackberry. Its tannins get rounded once wine gets older.

Appearance

The robe is a shimmering light ruby red with purplish reflections..

Nose

The nose is fine and complex. Delicate aromas of strawberries and white pepper stay in your nose.

Taste

Mouth is supple, fresh and fruity. You will feel the smoothness and the silkiness of this wine in your mouth.

Service

To serve: between 13°C and 15°C. Open just before serving. Keeping potential until 2017.

Food and wine matching/p>

Grilled auberginesVeal filet mignon

Soft-ripened goat cheese

Gâteau basque

Winemaker

After having worked many years in winemaking cooperative, Julien Savanier and his wife bought the Chastelle winery in 2010. They wanted to “make the wine that we love”. Therefore, 2011 is their first harvest as owners of the vineyard. We have to say that for being their first, they have impressed us. This winery is a rising star!

Terroir

The Chastelle winery is located on the left bound of the Rhone river. Vineyards are 50 to 80 years old. The age of vineyards is usually a sign of quality: old vines produce less grapes but they are better exposed to sunlight and fruits are more concentred. The terroir is made of a great variety of soils, sometimes sandy, clayed-limestone and pebbly.

My VitiBox, octobre. 2013/ bottle

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles until 31 October 2013. Deliver within 21 days.

A fine wine with an excellent price/quality ratio. Delicate aromas of strawberry and pepper come out from the blend of grenache and syrah.

“ Sophie Giraudin considers Les Terrassettes as “the cuvee for my friends”. It’s the most important and representative between all her wines. This tipple is light and complex at the same time, and this is what I love most. It’s rare to find a quality carignan, however, when they are well made, they are simply wonderful!”

Grape variety

The varietal carignan perfectly complements the syrah and it finds its natural environment in the Corbières. Once, carignan had a bad reputation due to its large diffusion. Thanks to the progress in winemaking techniques, many winemakers produce great wines based on this grape variety.

Appearance

Garnet colour, deeply shining with many purple reflections.

Nose

Nose is complex and immediately surrounded by fresh red fruits. Notes of cassis and wild blackberry inebriate our senses. Light aromas of thyme and rosemary add on top of red fruits.

Mouth

Generous and elegant on the palate, this wine is very well balanced and shows some nice velvet tannins.

Service

Temperature: between 13 et 15°C. Open 1 hour before serving. Keeping potential between until 2018 or more

Food and wine matching

Italians bruschettePizza napoletana/p>

Soft Goat Cheese

Fresh Fig cake

Winemaker

Owner of this winery since 2000, Sophie Giraudin likes calling herself “zero-generation winemaker”. She only produces Bio-certified wines and she also respects some principles of biodynamic agriculture. This practice consists in intensifying the exchange between grapevines and their environment (soil and air). The goal is to reach a better expression of the terroir and producing beautiful wines.

Terroir

Vineyards are situated in the heart of the Corbière denomination and they grow on clayey-limestone and silt-laden soil. Silts are granular material of a size somewhere between sand and clay and they occur as soil on a surface water body. Silts are very beneficial for soil’s fertility. Finally, the name of this wine comes from its terraced vineyards.

My VitiBox, October. 2013/ bottle

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles. Delivery within 21 days.

This tipple is light and complex at the same time, and this is what I love most.

“Summer holidays are over… To keep in mind the summer exoticism, I suggest you this beautiful bottle of Gigognan that will be paired with a Creole menu concocted by Catherine Naud, a martiniquan chef. The nose of this wine is very expressive and reveals a complex aromatic bouquet with perfumes of fruits and flowers. The bitter aftertaste confers to the wine a nice fresh touch. I definitely don’t advise to aerate the bottle.”

Grape variety

The roussanne is often blended with the marsanne since these two grape varieties perfectly complement each other. They produce light wines with light acid hints. Moreover the clairette variety makes the wine more alcoholic while preserving his freshness!

A very pleasant nose with intense aromas of yellow fruits such us clementine and white flowers.

Taste

Rounded, supple and fresh. Tannins are rounded and sweet.

Service

Serve between 10°C and12°C. Open just before serving. Keeping potential: until 2016.

Food and wine matchings

Samoussas aux légumesCoconut prawn fricassee

Coconut and plum flan

The winemaker

Annes and Jacques Callet became «winemaker by accident », as they like saying. They didn’t miss a chance to make the Château Gigognan shine and they reveal a strong passion for their vineyards. They are also kind hosts and they take special care of guests of their B&B, which mix the sophisticated Provençal style of XVIII century with the comfort of the modernity. The favourite of My VitiBox is: Sophie’s room!

The terroir

The vineyard is located in the south of of the Rhone Valley. It’s the region most exposed to the force of natural elements, but it also benefits of 2800 hours of sunshine per year! The Mistral wind is crucial since it allows the vineyard to recovery. However, the secret of these vineyards are in the soil composed of the so called “caïau frejaü” (rounded pebbles) with the ability to store heat by day and diffuse it during night..

My VitiBox, September 2013/ bottle

Sold by case of 3 or 6 bottle, until 30th Septembre 2013. Delivery within 21 days.

The nose of this wine is very expressive and reveals a complex aromatic bouquet with perfumes of fruits and flowers. The bitter aftertaste confers to the wine a nice fresh touch.

This wine from our September selection is atypical since it doesn’t have any chemical component: no sulphur, no ascorbic acid or chemical yeast. Maybe you didn’t know that the large majority of winemakers add different components to their wine to balance the final taste. Simon Hawkins does not embrace this philosophy and he keep producing a 100% natural wine. I am a fun of his wine and I believe he has won his bat against chemical components!

Grape variety

Gamay is a dark grape variety with white juice. It is also early and very productive; therefore it’s necessary to limit his liveliness to produce quality grapes. It mainly grows in the Beaujolais region. His peculiarity is to give fruity, fresh ad greedy wines. I usually suggest to drink them cold at 12°C.

Appearance

Dark purple robe with superb bluish-violet reflections.

Nose

Very expressive nose of black gamay. The smell is floral with notes of violets and tasty with aromas of strawberry.

Taste

The taste is juicy and rich of red fruits. Slightly spicy with notes of white pepper.

Service

To serve at 12°C. Open just before serving. Keeping potential juntil 2015.

Food and wine matching

ham and olives quichechicken and red pepper cubes a la plancha

saint-marcellin

summer pudding

Winemaker

Simon Hawkins worked in the textile trade in England before coming to France in 1990. There he changed his life and became winemaker! Press call him “Mad Englishman of the Cote Ronnaise” since Simon always chose to go counter currant to trait his vineyards and his wine. His motto his “authentic wines from sustainable viticulture and natural, hands-off wine making.”

The terroir

The vineyard is located in the Rhone Valley between Clermond Ferrand and Lyon, to the north of the Loire region. It extends on granitic and siliceous soils, both very favourable for winemaking. The Madeleine mountains enclose the areas. The climate is very mild with little rainfalls. For having the AOC designation, grape vines have to grow between 370 and 550 meters on the sea level.

My VitiBox, September. 2013/ bottle

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles until 30th September 2013. Delivery within 21 days.

This wine from our September selection is atypical since it doesn’t have any addiction: no sulphur, no ascorbic acid or chemical yeast.

This great bottle testifies the renewal of the winery Charles Jouquet located at Chinon. The grape variety 100% cabernet franc, with its notes of spices, perfectly matches a juicy grilled steak.

Grape variety

The only grape variety of this wine is the cabernet franc. It has a medium-dark appearance, fine tannins and aromas of red fruits and spices. It’s well known for his spicy flavour of red pepper.

Appearance

A very beautiful violet colour streaked with bluish-purple and coloured tears.

Nose

The pleasant nose opens up with notes of wild and grass. You can discover aromas of red pepper, hay, vanilla and even pepper.

Taste

Dense and powerful mouthfeel, with good ripe tannins.

Service

To serve at 16°C. To lay down up to 8 years.

Food and wine matching

It perfectly matches a juicy grilled steak with roasted vegetables. Followed by French Brie cheese and a cherry clofoutis as a dessert.

The winemaker

Before opening a winery, Chales Joguet was a painter. He has been between the first wine makers in the Loire region to adopt the enclosed winemaking that consists in dividing the vine in smaller areas and vinifying separately the grape coming from each section.

The terroir

Chinon, located in the hearth of the Val de Loire, is a small and prestigious vineyard. It extends over approximately 5700 acres, divided into nineteen villages. The vines are exposed to two main types of soil:

1/ The gravel terraces, which give us light and flavourful wines called “Easter wine” or “Spring wine”.

2/ The limestone and clayey-siliceous slopes give us wines that can be kept for years. This wine comes from this side of vineyard.

My VitiBox, July 2013/ bouteille

Sold by case of 3 and 6 bottles until the 31 August 2013. Delivery in 21 days

This great bottle testifies the renewal of the winery Charles Jouquet located at Chinon. Save 23% in comparison to the wine shops.

While observing the elegant appearance and the green tones of this wine, I think of the name of this fine wine produced in the Terre d’Argence. It refers to silvery shimmer of alders’ and olives’ leaves moved by the Mistral wind. This wine tasting reveals a generous, mineral and elegant wine. One of Robert Parker’s favourite.

The grape variety

35% Viognier, 30% Petit Manseng, 20% Roussanne, 25% Marsanne. The main grape variety is the viognier, cultivated in the savage vines of the Rhône region. It produces high quality white wines. They are smooth, fat, generous and perfumed on the palate.

The appearance

A lovely white gold with sun reflections and transparent and shiny appearance..

Nose

The nose is intense and reveals the floral part of the viognier grape and the exotic perfume of the roussanne, emphasized by woody notes of this wine aged in oak barrels.

Taste

The mouth is rich, soft and fresh with a nice balance

Service

To serve between 10°C and 12°C. Open just before serving. Keeping time: until 2016.

Before taking over the family business in 1990, the wine expert François Collard worked for the winery Château Lafite Rothschild at Bordeaux. Together with his wife François exploits the potential of this land by producing exceptional wines!

The terroir

This white wine is classified as a “Vin de Pays du Gard”. The vineyards are located between the southern regions of Rhône and Camargue. The soil is mostly composed of pebbles of sandstones that allow the ground to absorb the sunrays during the day and free them during the night to preserve the freshness and the purity of grapes. The Mistral wind blows on the vines for one third of the year and it assure a natural purification of the vineyards, reducing the need for sanitary treatments.

My VitiBox, juillet. 2013/ bouteille

Sold by case of 3 or 6 bottles until 30 September 2013. Delivery within 21 days.

This tasting reveals a generous, mineral and elegant wine. One of the favourite of Robert Parker.

Thanks to this case including 6 aromas bottles by the prestigious publishing house Jean Lenoir, you'll be able to train your nose to recognize at the frirst smell the aromas of your wine. A fun first step to become an expert in tasting wine !